ABB Robotics China chief says SoftBank deal on track, China commitment unchanged

Speaking at the Industrial Fair on October 12, Han Chen, president of ABB Robotics China, said SoftBank Group's acquisition of ABB Robotics is moving forward positively. Based on feedback from various parties, he said all procedures are proceeding normally, and he reiterated that ABB's commitment to the Chinese market remains unchanged.

The two sides announced last year that the deal was expected to close in mid-to-late 2026. With more than half of that timeline now passed, Han said the project remains within its preset time window, signaling the transaction is still on track. The companies have not disclosed the latest details on closing conditions, but Han's remarks suggest the process is continuing as planned. If completed, the deal would place ABB's robotics business under SoftBank's ownership, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the robotics sector. The update comes amid close industry scrutiny of one of the largest pending robotics deals globally.