German United Robotics Group acquires Pepper developer SoftBank Robotics Europe

A subsidiary of RAG-Stiftung in Essen, United Robotics Group (URG), has reached a deal with SoftBank Robotics Group Corp. (SBRG) to acquire their Paris-based subsidiary SoftBank Robotics Europe SAS (SBRE).

According to the agreement’s details, SBRG will acquire a minority stake in URG, and the two firms will continue to collaborate to market various robots globally. Through its latest acquisition of SBRE, URG will transition into one of Europe’s leading service robotics firms.

With this acquisition, United Robotics Group is following its plan to secure a leading position in the global robotics market through organic growth and investments. The extensive experience and know-how of SBRE’s team will ideally complement URG’s broad product range and enable the combined forces to accelerate research and development, strengthening the firm’s innovative power.

The Paris-based SBRE is a global leader in humanoid robotics and the developer and producer of world-famous NAO and Pepper robots. URG has been the master distributor of NAO and Pepper in the European market since October 2021 and is responsible for the sales, maintenance, and service of the robots.

SBRE will revert to its former name, Aldebaran. Xavier Lacherade, the General Manager of SBRE, will continue to lead the company. The deal’s transaction is subject to merger clearance and is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of 2022.