The Swiss group ABB, which operates in the of electrification and automation, has signed an agreement binding to sell its robotics division to the Japanese SoftBank Group Corp. for nearly $5.4 billion. The transaction, which will have to be approved by several authorities including those of the EU, China and the US, expected to be completed in the second half of 2015 next year.

ABB Robotics currently employs around 7,000 people and in 2024 the division recorded a turnover of 2.3 billion of dollars, accounting for approximately 7% of the total ABB Group revenues.

ABB had previously communicated its intention to implement the Spin-off of the robotics division into a company listed on the Stock Exchange. ABB Chairman Peter Veser explained why it was then decided not to proceed with the spin-off: "SoftBank's offer," he said, "is has been carefully evaluated by the Board of Directors and the steering committee and comparison with our initial intention of a spin-off. It reflects the strengths for a long time end of the division and the sale will create a value for ABB's shareholders".

"ABB and SoftBank - added the CEO of ABB, Morten Wierod - share the same vision: the world is Entering a new era of intelligence-based robotics and believe that the division and supply in the robotics of SoftBank can together best shape this era. ABB Robotics will benefit from the combination of its cutting-edge technology and its deep expertise in the industry with SoftBank's cutting-edge expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics and computer science new generation. This will allow the company to strengthen and expand its position as a technology leader in his sector". "SoftBank's Next Frontier - underlined in this regard the president and director SoftBank Group Corp.'s Managing Director, Masayoshi Son - is physical artificial intelligence. Together with ABB Robotics, we will combine World-class technologies and talent under our vision to merge the super artificial intelligence and the robotics, driving a revolutionary evolution that will push humanity forward".