SoftBank Creates Robotics Data Center Company, Eyes $100 Billion IPO
SoftBank Group announced on April 30, 2026, the formation of a new robotics company dedicated to building and operating specialized data centers designed for artificial intelligence and automation workloads. The company has set an ambitious goal: achieving an initial public offering (IPO) valued at up to $100 billion.
This strategic move marks SoftBank’s deepening commitment to AI infrastructure. As global demand for AI model training and inference grows exponentially, data centers are evolving from traditional computing facilities into integrated AI factories combining robotic automation, liquid cooling systems, and custom silicon.
SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son, who has repeatedly expressed his conviction in the AI revolution, sees the new company as a convergence point for the conglomerate’s diverse AI and robotics capabilities. The venture is expected to integrate technologies from portfolio companies including Boston Dynamics’ robotics expertise and Arm’s chip design capabilities, creating a full-stack AI infrastructure solution spanning hardware to software.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the company plans to deploy its first data centers in Japan and Southeast Asia, with subsequent expansion into North American and European markets. These facilities will operate with high levels of automation, extensively using robots for equipment maintenance and daily operations, significantly reducing labor costs and operational risks.
Industry analysts suggest that if the company achieves its IPO target, it would rank among the largest technology listings in history. For comparison, Equinix, the world’s largest data center operator, currently has a market capitalization of approximately $80 billion. A $100 billion valuation for SoftBank’s new venture would redefine industry standards for AI infrastructure companies.
Against the backdrop of an intensifying global AI arms race, data centers are being reassessed as the “power infrastructure” of the AI industry. SoftBank’s move is certain to further intensify competition in the global AI infrastructure landscape.
Source: TechCrunch