China blocks SoftBank-ABB Robotics deal, Neura and E.ON grid robots, Foundry $100M
Chinese regulators block SoftBank's $5.4B purchase of ABB Robotics, Neura Robotics teams with E.ON and enviaM on grid robots, and Foundry Robotics raises $100M.
Energy & process industries
Neura Robotics partners with E.ON and enviaM to develop robots for power grid work
Neura Robotics will use its Neuraverse physical AI platform to develop robotic skills for inspections, substation monitoring and site security. Robots will be trained at TUM RoboGym in Munich before enviaM's grid subsidiary Mitnetz Strom tests selected applications in operating facilities. Initial field experience is expected in 2027.
Deals & funding
Chinese regulators block SoftBank's $5.4B acquisition of ABB Robotics
China's Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review has prohibited the acquisition in China, and ABB confirmed this to The Robot Report. Authorities cited concerns about robotics data being transferred overseas and used to train AI models, according to The Financial Times. ABB said it and SoftBank are in close dialogue and are working constructively on the transaction.
Foundry Robotics raises $100M Series A for an autonomous assembly factory
Foundry Robotics announced an oversubscribed $100 million Series A led by Marlinspike Partners. The company said it builds and operates autonomous factories for complex assembly with AI-powered robotic cells, and has expanded its footprint twentyfold to a 130,000-square-foot facility in Emeryville, Calif. It serves defense and commercial industries.
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