Robotik: ABB und Softbank erwägen für Robotik Abspaltung des China-Geschäfts

ABB is considering separating its China operations within the robotics division, according to Bloomberg news agency. The company is exploring multiple options to salvage the business, including a complete divestiture, Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources. One option under consideration is for ABB and Softbank to spin off the Chinese segment as an independent entity with a different ownership structure, Bloomberg added.

Softbank appears to be leading these efforts, according to Bloomberg's sources. However, these efforts may fail, and there is no assurance they will result in an agreement. ABB is also looking for other potential buyers for the entire robotics business, Bloomberg further reported. The Swiss group had agreed to sell the division to Japanese investors for approximately $5.4 billion in October 2025.

On Thursday, ABB announced that the Chinese security authority had blocked the acquisition of the business. Background information cited by the Financial Times includes concerns over data security, with the Chinese authorities fearing that Chinese-produced robot data might be leaked and used to train AI models, potentially including some developed by OpenAI, a venture heavily invested in by Softbank.