SoftBank to Acquire Robotics and AI Institute from Hyundai

SoftBank Group Corp. Has agreed to acquire the Robotics and AI Institute (RAI) from Hyundai Motor Group. Financial terms of the deal are not yet public, and the transaction is currently under review by the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS).

This move would reunite the Japanese tech conglomerate with robotics pioneer Marc Raibert. Raibert founded both Boston Dynamics and the RAI Institute. SoftBank previously owned Boston Dynamics from 2017 until 2021.

Deal Under CFIUS Scrutiny

The deal has been rumored for months but is now formally being examined. CFIUS reviews foreign investments in U.S. Businesses for potential national security implications. It is led by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and involves multiple government agencies. The current stage of the review process is unknown.

Both companies involved are staying quiet. "We don't have anything to share on this topic right now," the RAI Institute told The Robot Report. The publication also reached out to SoftBank but had not received a response by its press time.

Institute's Research and Origins

The RAI was founded in 2022 as part of Hyundai's acquisition of Boston Dynamics. Hyundai spun out the institute with an initial investment exceeding $400 million. That initial funding period has now concluded, according to sources.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the institute's research focuses on core robotics challenges. Its work spans robot control, perception, manipulation, navigation, and the artificial intelligence needed for complex physical tasks. One of its key developments is a whole-body learning framework. This technology enables the advanced, acrobatic movements demonstrated by Boston Dynamics' new Atlas robot.

Strategic Context for SoftBank

This potential acquisition occurs as SoftBank advances another major robotics purchase. The company is moving toward its planned $5.3 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics business. That deal was originally expected to close by mid-to-late 2026.

The combination of assets could be powerful. ABB brings decades of experience in industrial automation and a vast installed base of robots. The RAI contributes deep expertise in artificial intelligence and fundamental research. Pairing them could accelerate the development of more capable and intelligent industrial robots.

Hyundai's relationship with Boston Dynamics is also evolving. In July 2026, Hyundai stated its shareholders were pursuing the acquisition of SoftBank's remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics. This followed SoftBank exercising a "put" option. Hyundai said the transaction would strengthen its collaboration with Boston Dynamics and support its broader physical AI strategy.

Raibert's Enduring Legacy

Marc Raibert's career has shaped modern robotics. He founded Boston Dynamics in 1992 after pioneering work at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT. Under his leadership, the company created iconic robots like BigDog, Atlas, and Spot.

Boston Dynamics changed hands several times. Google acquired it in 2013, then sold it to SoftBank four years later for a reported $100 million. Hyundai Motor Group acquired a controlling stake from SoftBank in 2021, valuing Boston Dynamics at $1.1 billion. SoftBank initially kept a 20% stake.

Raibert stepped down as CEO of Boston Dynamics in early 2020. His robotics work continued with the launch of the RAI Institute two years later. His future role should the SoftBank deal close remains unclear.

SoftBank's prior ownership marked a shift for Boston Dynamics, pushing it to commercialize its research, starting with the Spot robot. If the RAI acquisition is finalized, SoftBank will once again hold a piece of Raibert's legacy. It would join an expanding portfolio that includes industrial robots, warehouse automation, and AI research.