ABB has announced that Sami Atiya, President of the Robotics & Discrete Automation business area and Member of the Executive Committee, will step down as part of the company’s planned divestment of its robotics division to SoftBank Group. Atiya is expected to leave ABB by the end of 2026, following a transitional period during which he will serve as strategic advisor to support the carve-out process and ensure a smooth transition.
The move marks a major structural shift for ABB, one of the world’s foremost players in industrial automation and digital construction technologies. From Q4 2025, ABB will dissolve its Robotics & Discrete Automation business area, consolidating its structure into three business areas to align more closely with evolving market demands and its long-term digitalisation strategy.
Sami Atiya’s impact on ABB’s robotics and automation
Since joining ABB in 2016, Sami Atiya has been widely recognised for transforming the company’s robotics portfolio into a global powerhouse. Under his leadership, ABB expanded its offerings beyond traditional industrial robotics, embracing collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and AI-powered automation platforms.
ABB CEO Morten Wierod highlighted Atiya’s contribution, stating: “Since joining ABB almost 10 years ago, Sami has played an instrumental role in building a robotics business that covers everything from industrial robots to state-of-the-art collaborative and autonomous mobile robots, backed by some of the most advanced software and AI solutions. He has played a key role across ABB in establishing AI as an important driver of how we create value for customers and other stakeholders.”
This focus on AI-driven robotics has been critical in enabling ABB to address the fast-evolving needs of the digital construction, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. By integrating artificial intelligence, machine vision, and cloud-based automation software, ABB’s robotics business became a cornerstone of the company’s broader digitalisation strategy, supporting the shift towards smart factories, autonomous operations, and data-driven construction workflows.
In his own statement, Sami Atiya said: “It has been an honour to serve ABB, and I would like to thank our employees as well as customers for the close partnership since I joined ABB. I am convinced that with the acquisition by SoftBank our robotics business will be in excellent hands, creating a platform for growth that will benefit from the numerous opportunities in automation and AI that we are seeing across many industries and geographies.”
Strategic rationale: divestment to SoftBank and market implications
ABB’s decision to divest its robotics division to SoftBank Group underscores the rapid convergence of automation, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure investment. SoftBank, known for its strategic focus on AI and robotics innovation, is expected to accelerate growth across ABB’s former robotics business by leveraging its global technology ecosystem and investment capabilities.
According to ABB, the divestment will enable both organisations to focus on their core strengths: ABB on industrial automation, electrification, and digital solutions for the built environment, and SoftBank on scaling next-generation robotics and AI systems across multiple industries.
What this means for digital construction
The divestment and leadership change come at a critical juncture for the digital construction sector, where robotics, automation, and AI integration are rapidly redefining project delivery and operational efficiency. ABB has been a pioneer in robot-enabled construction, modular assembly, and digital twin solutions, positioning itself as a key enabler of Industry 4.0 and Construction 4.0 transformations.
With SoftBank now taking the reins of ABB’s robotics division, industry observers expect accelerated innovation in:
- AI-powered autonomous construction robotics
- Advanced robotic fabrication and assembly
- Predictive maintenance and data-driven automation systems
- Collaborative robotics for smart manufacturing environments
Meanwhile, ABB’s reorganisation into three business areas from Q4 2025 will likely sharpen its focus on electrification, automation, and motion control, aligning with its digital-first strategy and growing presence in smart infrastructure and energy-efficient buildings.
A strategic evolution for ABB and the industry
Sami Atiya’s departure marks the end of a transformative chapter in ABB’s robotics journey, but also the beginning of a new era for both ABB and the global robotics industry. As ABB refines its business structure and SoftBank accelerates robotics development, the broader digital construction ecosystem stands to benefit from enhanced technological collaboration and cross-sector innovation.
With automation and AI continuing to redefine productivity across construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure, ABB’s strategic shift positions it for long-term resilience in a rapidly changing market landscape.
Read next: Robotics in the built environment: from drones to dynamic worksites – Build in Digital
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