Softbank and United Robotics are already working together. The Bochum-based company has been selling the Pepper and Nao robots from Softbank in Europe since October.
(Photo: Reuters)
Tokyo According to insiders, the Japanese technology investor Softbank is negotiating with United Robotics from Germany about the purchase of the French robot business for the humanoid robot Pepper. The talks continued and could ultimately change, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. It would be a big step for Softbank. For a long time, the Japanese referred to the robot business as the engine of growth. According to insiders, it is unclear whether Softbank would keep a stake in the business after the sale.
Softbank and United Robotics are already working together. The Bochum-based company has been selling the Pepper and Nao robots from Softbank in Europe since October. United Robotics, supported by the automation specialist Hahn Group, did not want to comment. Softbank said it was committed to the Pepper business.