ABB Robotics
No.2 global industrial-robot maker, being acquired by SoftBank for $5.4B to anchor its physical-AI push
Division of ABB (sale to SoftBank pending) · No humanoid status · Robotics leader · Zurich, Switzerland · Founded 1988 · abb.com
Part of ABB Ltd (pending transfer to SoftBank Group).
Profile
ABB Robotics is one of the world's largest industrial-robot makers. SoftBank agreed in Oct 2025 to buy it for $5.375B to combine with its AI bets, including Skild AI. EU approval was reported in Mar 2026, and the deal was expected to close in mid-to-late 2026.
Notes Reported Closing status as of Oct 2026 unconfirmed.
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People
- Marc SeguraPresident of ABB Robotics
As of . X handles are shown only when we could confirm they belong to the person.
Flagship robots
- Industrial robots and cobots (GoFa, YuMi) Industrial robot
Market & financials
Part of ABB Ltd (pending transfer to SoftBank Group)
ABB's market cap
approx. $174.4B (CHF 145.3B)
As of · Source
ABB has agreed to sell the robotics division to SoftBank Group; the sale is pending.
Funding & deals
Latest round
$5.38B
Acquisition by SoftBank Group (pending) · Oct 8, 2025
Led by SoftBank Group.
Enterprise value; expected close mid-to-late 2026 subject to approvals
Valuation
$5.38B
enterprise value in SoftBank deal · Oct 8, 2025
Trademarks
7 names filed in the US since 2025 · last checked .
- CODIAN Examiner objectionIndustrial robots; machines and machine tools, namely machines using robotic systems, including sorting machines.
- EYEMOTION Examiner objectionComputer hardware and software for robots; sensors.
- BULLSEYE Examiner objectionCalibration devices for calibrating machine tools in the nature of industrial robots, welding tools and cutting tools.
Show 4 more names
- POWA RegisteredIndustrial robots for machine tools; industrial robots with articulated arms for machining and moving workpieces.
- AVR Examiner objectionTransporting robots in the nature of robotic delivery vehicles and autonomous land vehicles for transporting goods.
- IRB LITE+ RegisteredLaboratory robots; educational teaching robots.
- IRB RegisteredIndustrial robots for machine tools; industrial robots with articulated arms for machining and moving workpieces.
Source: USPTO Trademark Search, matched on the company’s legal names. Rechecked on the 1st and 15th of each month. A filing shows intent to use a name in the US, not a launched product.
Competitors
Companies with overlapping products. Direct = same customers and same job; Adjacent = overlapping technology or market, different focus.
FANUC
Direct competitorBoth sell industrial robot arms to factories worldwide: FANUC is the world's largest industrial-robot maker and also sells cobots, while ABB Robotics makes industrial robots and is being acquired by SoftBank.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Robotics)
Direct competitorBoth sell industrial robot arms to factories worldwide: Kawasaki Heavy Industries makes industrial robots and is developing the Kaleido humanoid for factory use around 2030, while ABB Robotics makes industrial robots and is being acquired by SoftBank.
KUKA
Direct competitorBoth sell industrial robot arms to factories worldwide: KUKA makes industrial robots and is owned by China's Midea, while ABB Robotics makes industrial robots and is being acquired by SoftBank.
Show 1 more
Yaskawa Electric
Direct competitorBoth sell industrial robot arms to factories worldwide: Yaskawa Electric makes Motoman industrial robots and is building a bipedal humanoid through its Tokyo Robotics unit, while ABB Robotics makes industrial robots and is being acquired by SoftBank.
Recent news
Sources
- Acquisition of ABB Ltd's robotics business (SoftBank Group) (Oct 8, 2025)
- SoftBank to buy ABB's robot business for $5.4 billion (Reuters) (Oct 8, 2025)
- ABB to divest Robotics division to SoftBank Group (ABB) (Oct 8, 2025)
Confidence: medium.