ABB Robotics

ABB Robotics is the robotics division of Swiss-Swedish automation giant ABB Ltd, manufacturing industrial robots, cobots, and automation software used in automotive, electronics, logistics, food and beverage, and general manufacturing. Its IRB series of industrial arms and YuMi collaborative robots are deployed in factories worldwide, supported by ABB's RobotStudio simulation software and its recently announced AI/no-code programming platform. With 2024 revenues of approximately $2.3B and about 7,000 employees, ABB Robotics is the world's second-largest industrial robot manufacturer after Japan's FANUC. The division is headquartered in Zurich with significant operations in Vasteras, Sweden and Shanghai, and is led by Division President Marc Segura, a 25-plus-year ABB veteran. In March 2026 the business announced a physical-AI partnership with Nvidia to bring foundation models into industrial robotics programming. ABB initially announced plans in April 2025 to spin off the robotics business as a separately listed public company targeting Q2 2026. That plan was superseded in October 2025 when ABB signed an agreement to divest the division to SoftBank Group for an enterprise value of $5.375B, with closing expected in mid-to-late 2026.

ABB Robotics' pending sale to SoftBank would consolidate a top-3 global industrial robot platform into the same parent that controls Vision Fund and a growing AI-robotics portfolio, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape against FANUC and KUKA.

new.abb.com Industrial Robotics

Switzerlandpublic · ABBN.SW

At a glance

Total raised

Undisclosed

no public funding on record

Headcount

5000+

approximate · public range

Headquarters

Zurich

Switzerland

Founded

1988

38 years active

Status

Public

Ticker · ABBN.SW

Latest valuation

$5.4B

Divestiture (pending) · 2025

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Funding history

Total raised

—

Rounds tracked

Latest stage

Divestiture (pending)

Latest valuation

$5.4B

Date	Stage	Amount	Valuation	Lead investors
Oct 8, 2025	Divestiture (pending)	$5.4B	$5.4B	SoftBank Group

Stock performance

$83.80000305175781

2026-05-22 · ABBN.SW

AI bull / bear

Bull case

SoftBank's $5.375B acquisition of ABB Robotics creates a formidable industrial automation powerhouse backed by one of tech's most aggressive AI investors. The deal unites the world's second-largest robot manufacturer—with $2.3B in 2024 revenue and 7,000 employees—with SoftBank's Vision Fund capital and AI-robotics portfolio, enabling faster innovation cycles and global expansion. The March 2026 Nvidia partnership on physical-AI foundation models positions ABB to lead the transition from traditional teach-pendant programming to generative, no-code robotics orchestration. With established IRB and YuMi product lines deployed across automotive, electronics, and logistics, ABB has the installed base to monetize AI-enhanced software at scale through RobotStudio and newer generative vision tools developed with LandingAI. SoftBank's ownership removes short-term earnings pressure, allowing multi-year R&D investments in humanoid and collaborative robot platforms. As manufacturing labor shortages intensify globally, ABB's combination of proven hardware, emerging AI capabilities, and SoftBank's risk capital could capture disproportionate share in the fastest-growing segments of industrial automation.

Bear case

The SoftBank acquisition introduces execution risk and strategic uncertainty at a critical inflection point. SoftBank's track record with operating companies is mixed—Vision Fund's portfolio has seen high-profile failures (WeWork, Katerra) and forced restructurings. ABB Robotics will lose the engineering rigor and operational stability of its Swiss-Swedish parent, potentially struggling under a more financially driven owner as the deal closes mid-to-late 2026. The division faces intensifying competition from FANUC (the global leader), KUKA (backed by Midea), and a wave of venture-funded humanoid startups like Figure, which recently hit a $39B valuation. ABB's traditional industrial arms risk commoditization as Chinese manufacturers scale, while its cobot offerings lag Universal Robots in ease of deployment. The Nvidia partnership and generative AI pivot remain unproven in production environments where cycle-time, reliability, and safety certification dominate purchasing decisions. If SoftBank pressures ABB for short-term returns or diverts resources to speculative humanoid bets, the core industrial robot business could lose ground to more focused incumbents and cost-competitive Asian rivals.

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 · April 25, 2026Refreshes quarterly · see disclosures

In the news

Watch

Leadership

Marc Segura

President, ABB Robotics Division

Morten Wierod

CEO, ABB Ltd (parent)

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Products

IRB industrial robots
Articulated industrial robot arms where the "IRB" designation stands for industrial robot, with the first digit indicating size. The IRB Series forms the backbone of ABB's product range, spanning from compact, high-speed robots to heavy-duty models capable of handling substantial payloads. The lineup comprises 11 next-generation robot families with 60 variants, including compact models with payloads up to 4kg and heavy-duty robots handling payloads of 150–800kg with extended reach up to 4.2 meters. Applications include arc welding, spot welding, assembly, material handling, material removal, painting, palletizing, and dispensing. Latest generation models use ABB's OmniCore controllers, delivering 20% reduction in energy consumption.
YuMi collaborative robot
Dual-arm collaborative robot designed for production environments where humans and robots work together. Offers 500 g payload per arm and 559 mm reach, with lightweight magnesium skeleton with soft protective padding, vision system, dexterous grasping hands, and force control sensor technology. Achieves 0.02 mm repeatability and moves at maximum 1.5 m/s. Available in single-arm variant introduced to expand the collaborative portfolio following the dual-arm's launch in 2015. Stops within milliseconds upon unexpected contact, eliminating need for external safety barriers.
GoFa cobot
Six-axis collaborative robot available in three payload variants: 5 kg, 10 kg, and 12 kg. Faster than competing cobots with TCP speed up to 2.2 m/s and reach up to 1.62 m (14% longer than comparable robots), while achieving best-in-class repeatability of 0.02 mm. Integrated torque sensors in each joint enable superior force limiting and safe human-robot collaboration without physical barriers. Programming via lead-through guidance and Wizard Easy Programming software, which uses drag-and-drop graphical blocks for non-specialists. Launched in 2021, GoFa received positive customer reception particularly for ease-of-use features.
SWIFTI cobot
Industrial collaborative robot designed to close the gap between collaborative and industrial robots, enabling fully safe collaborative operation in applications demanding industrial performance in terms of speed, accuracy and robustness. Available in payload variants from 0.5 to 11kg across the SWIFTI portfolio, including the CRB 1100 for payloads up to 4kg and CRB 1300 for higher demands. The CRB 1300 is up to six times faster than other robots in its class—handling up to 13 boxes per minute in palletizing versus nine for competitor cobots. Powered by OmniCore C90XT controller, offering up to five times higher precision with 6.2m/s top speed and payloads from 7–11kg. Safety laser scanner integrated with SafeMove software enables collaboration without protective fencing.
RobotStudio
Offline simulation and programming software that reduces commissioning time by up to 90%, offered as both desktop and cloud versions enabling real-time collaboration on robot cell designs from anywhere on any device. Built on the ABB Virtual Controller—an exact copy of real robot control software—it enables realistic simulations using production-identical programs and configuration files. Includes an integrated AI assistant supporting both experienced and novice users. Targets engineers and integrators seeking to program and test without disrupting production lines; provides over 500 functions including automatic path planning. Extensible via PowerPacs for specialized applications like machining, welding, and 3D printing.
OmniCore controller
Modular control platform developed through more than $170 million investment, serving as ABB's unified control architecture integrating the company's complete range of hardware and software. OmniCore powers the widest range of robots with path accuracies down to 0.6mm and highest speeds up to 1600mm/s. Distinctive for enabling motion, force, and sensor applications from a single unified system. Robots operate up to 25% faster and consume 20% less energy than previous ABB controllers. Launched June 2024, replacing the IRC5 controller which will phase out in June 2026.

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ABB Robotics

At a glance

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Funding history

Stock performance

AI bull / bear

In the news

ABB Robotics launches PickMaster Lite to ‘simplify and accelerate robotic picking’

ABB Robotics launches OmniVance autonomous surface finishing cell

ABB Robotics launches new automated surface finishing cell

Surplus robots, robot welders, and support equipment to be auctioned by BTM Industrial

ABB Robotics’ autonomous mobile robot wins prestigious design award

ABB Robotics launches PoWa cobot family targeting industrial tasks

Watch

Leadership

Products

IRB industrial robots

YuMi collaborative robot

GoFa cobot

SWIFTI cobot

RobotStudio

OmniCore controller

Open roles

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