Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-10-08 10:16Core Insights - SoftBank is making a significant investment in the robotics sector by acquiring ABB's robotics division for $5.4 billion, reflecting its commitment to advancing artificial intelligence and robotics integration [1][3] - Masayoshi Son, the chairman of SoftBank, envisions a future where artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence by a factor of ten thousand within the next decade, emphasizing the importance of physical AI [1][3] - The global robotics market is currently valued at approximately $78 billion and is projected to reach $165 billion by the end of 2029, indicating a strong growth trajectory in the industry [4] Investment Strategy - SoftBank's investment in ABB's robotics division is part of a broader strategy to enhance its robotics portfolio, which already includes investments in companies like Agile Robots and AutoStore [3] - The company has previously faced challenges in the robotics sector, such as the underperformance of the Pepper humanoid robot developed after acquiring Aldebaran [3] Industry Trends - The commercialization path for industrial robots is clearer compared to humanoid robots, with major tech companies like NVIDIA recognizing the potential in this area [4] - NVIDIA has introduced the Cosmos generative world model, aimed at providing foundational models for AI training in robotics, highlighting the technological advancements in the field [4] - Industry leaders believe that the next wave of artificial intelligence will focus on physical AI, which can understand and operate within the physical laws of the environment [4] Collaboration and Future Outlook - SoftBank is deepening its collaboration with OpenAI, committing $3 billion annually to deploy OpenAI products in Japan, which aligns with its focus on AI advancements [4]