GreenBox will automate supply chain networks globally by operating and making Symbotics’ AI and automation technology accessible.
SoftBank makes offer to acquire Balyo shares
SoftBank Group has entered into an agreement to acquire a 41.8% stake in Balyo for €11.8 million, around $12.9 million.
Berkshire Grey to join Softbank Group
Berkshire Grey is merging with SoftBank Group Corp in a deal valued at 24% more than the stock price at the end of trading on March 24, 2023.
SoftBank Robotics partners with Gausium to deploy 2 robotic solutions
SoftBank Robotics America and Gausium announced a new partnership to deploy indoor automated robots in the US.
SoftBank Robotics America announces global strategic partnership with Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
The two companies will develop a variety of outdoor automated commercial service solutions, with an initial focus on landscaping and logistics.
SoftBank Robotics America makes 6 senior appointments
Softbank Robotics America, the North American arm of Softbank Robotics, announced the appointment of six senior officials.
United Robotics Group acquires SoftBank Robotics Europe
Softbank Robotics Europe will revert to its original name, Aldebaran. SoftBank also acquired a minority stake in United Robotics Group.
Softbank Robotics America names new head of product
Sun most recently served as the CIO for San José. Prior to San José, Sun was deployed to Afghanistan as the chief operating officer and head of product for the Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan Technology Team.
Is Softbank Robotics Europe for sale?; Melonee Wise on Fetch’s new AMRs
We got the scoop on the new AMR solutions from Fetch Robotics and recap the week that was in robotics.
Report: Softbank negotiating sale of French robotics business
Is Pepper about to get a new lease on life? Softbank is reportedly in discussions to sell Softbank Robotics Europe to German distributor United Robotics Group. Earlier this month, United became the master distributor for Pepper throughout Europe.
Report: Softbank stopped production of Pepper robot in 2020
Reuters cites unnamed sources who said 27,000 Pepper robots were manufactured since it was introduced in 2014.
Softbank Robotics Europe cutting workforce 40% in shake-up
Despite their worldwide fame, the Nao and Pepper robots never achieved financial success.
SoftBank takes 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8B
AutoStore, a leading global robotics and software company, today announced that SoftBank has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 40% of AutoStore from funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”) and EQT Private Equity (“EQT”), among other shareholders. THL will continue to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder and THL, SoftBank and EQT will…
Softbank partners with Iris Ohyama to retool robotics play
Softbank Group continues to shake up its approach to robotics. It announced today that its robotics division, Softbank Robotics, will jointly develop commercial robots with Japanese electronics maker Iris Ohyama. The joint venture will be called Iris Robotics, and it forecast sales of $965 million by 2025. Iris Ohyama will own a 51% stake in…
Inside the SPAC craze and its potential impact on robotics
A SPAC offers startups quicker access to capital and greater liquidity, which can help drive innovation in advance of greater adoption.
It’s official: Boston Dynamics is joining Hyundai
It’s official. Hyundai Motor Corp announced this morning it is acquiring a controlling stake in Boston Dynamics for about $880 million. Hyundai Motor will own 80% of Boston Dynamics, while a Softbank affiliate will retain the other 20%. The final numbers are a bit different than our initial reporting, but the deal values Boston Dynamics…
Hyundai to acquire Boston Dynamics for nearly $1B
Update at 1 PM EST on Dec. 11, 2020: Hyundai Motor Group announced this morning it is acquiring 80% of Boston Dynamics for $880 million. Read Story. Hyundai Motor will acquire Boston Dynamics. The acquisition will be finalized at Hyundai’s December 10 board meeting. News about the deal was first reported by The Korea Economic Daily,…
Report: Hyundai in talks to acquire Boston Dynamics
We have often said – whether on The Robot Report Podcast or in various articles – 2020 has been the year of Boston Dynamics. Well, apparently others have noticed, too. According to Bloomberg, Hyundai Motor is in talks to acquire Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group. The Bloomberg report, which cites multiple unnamed sources, said the…
NVIDIA to acquire processor maker Arm from SoftBank for $40B, to build U.K. R&D center
AI provider NVIDIA said it plans to acquire chipmaker Arm from SoftBank for about $40 billion and expand research and development facilities in the U.K. for a new supercomputer.
Whiz autonomous cleaning robot launches in North America
Whiz, an autonomous cleaning robot that use BrainOS for navigation, is now available in North America.
Prescribing a robot ‘intervention’
According to Australian Centre for Robotic Vision Research’s Nicole Robinson, research studies on the impact of social robot interventions there have been few and unsophisticated. There is good news… the results are encouraging. As our world struggles with mental health and substance use disorders affecting 970 million people and counting (according to 2017 figures),…
Robotics investments recap: March 2019
Investments in robots, autonomous vehicles, and related systems totaled at least $1.3 billion in March 2019, down from $4.3 billion in February. On the other hand, automation companies reported $7.8 billion in mergers and acquisitions last month. While that may represent a slowdown, note that many businesses did not specify the amounts involved in their…