The Japanese conglomerate is reportedly in preliminary talks to buy the ETH Zurich spinout, adding AI-driven construction robotics to a portfolio that already includes a $5.4 billion bet on ABB's robotics division.
SoftBank Group is reportedly in early-stage discussions to acquire Gravis Robotics AG, a Zurich-based startup that builds AI autonomy platforms for heavy construction machinery. The deal would fold Gravis’s technology into a new venture called Roze, further cementing SoftBank’s aggressive expansion into what the industry calls “physical AI.”
What Gravis actually does #
Gravis Robotics spun out of ETH Zurich in 2022 with a straightforward but ambitious idea: retrofit existing construction equipment, like excavators and s, with AI-powered autonomy kits. The company’s product, known as Gravis RACK, essentially turns dumb machines into smart ones.
Instead of buying entirely new autonomous equipment, construction firms can bolt Gravis’s tech onto machinery they already own. One operator can then manage multiple machines simultaneously.
The startup has raised approximately $23 million to date. Its most recent funding round, a Series A completed in November 2025, was led by IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures. Gravis has already expanded operations across the US, UK, EU, Latin America, and Asia.
SoftBank’s robotics spending spree #
In October 2025, SoftBank announced it was acquiring ABB’s robotics division for $5.4 billion. That deal gave SoftBank access to industrial-grade robotic arms and automation systems used in manufacturing worldwide. Picking up Gravis would add a complementary layer: AI software that makes heavy outdoor machinery autonomous, rather than factory-floor robots.
The plan to integrate Gravis’s technology into a new entity named Roze suggests SoftBank is building something bigger than a collection of standalone robotics companies.
A $23 million startup might seem like small change next to a $5.4 billion acquisition. But Gravis’s retrofit approach solves a particular problem—making existing fleets autonomous—that a ground-up robotics company might not prioritize.
The deal remains in preliminary stages, and there’s no guarantee it closes.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our