SoftBank to acquire RAI Institute, the robotics AI lab founded by Boston Dynamics creator Marc Raibert
lukas_m_ziegler · x · 2026-10-09
SoftBank has agreed to acquire the RAI Institute, the robotics AI research lab founded by Boston Dynamics creator Marc Raibert. Backstory: Hyundai launched the lab with over $400 million after acquiring Boston Dynamics in 2021, but that funding has run out — Hyundai is selling as it goes all-in on product development, a roadmap a pure research lab doesn't fit.
SoftBank is playing a different game:
- It's already acquiring ABB's robotics business for $5.3 billion, gaining decades of industrial automation, a global customer base, and proven manufacturing scale.
- RAI adds the AI and robotics research layer.
The author's read: ABB brings the factories, RAI brings the brain — SoftBank wants to own every layer of the robotics stack. The deal is currently under CFIUS review.
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