SoftBank Group is preparing to launch a new robotics-focused company aimed at transforming how AI infrastructure is built, while already setting its sights on a potential $100 billion IPO.
The move reflects a broader industry shift: as demand for artificial intelligence surges, the real bottleneck is no longer software innovation, but the physical infrastructure powering it, particularly data centers.
A New Model: Robots Building AI Infrastructure
According to recent reports, SoftBank’s new venture will focus on using autonomous robotics systems to construct data centers more efficiently. Instead of relying heavily on traditional labor, the company aims to deploy robotics and AI to streamline large-scale infrastructure development.
This concept, often referred to as “physical AI”, is gaining traction as tech giants race to scale compute capacity. The idea is simple but powerful: use AI and robotics not just to run systems, but to build the systems themselves.
The company, reportedly named Roze, could go public as early as 2026, with internal targets pointing toward a valuation of around $100 billion.
Strategic Timing in the AI Boom
SoftBank’s timing is deliberate. The global race for AI dominance has triggered massive investments in infrastructure, from hyperscale data centers to energy systems supporting them.
The company has already positioned itself aggressively in this space. It is involved in large-scale initiatives like the Stargate data center project and has expanded its footprint through investments in robotics and digital infrastructure firms.
This new venture consolidates those efforts into a single, focused entity, one that blends robotics, AI, energy, and infrastructure into a unified growth strategy.
Masayoshi Son’s “Physical AI” Vision
Founder Masayoshi Son has long emphasized robotics as the next frontier of AI. While previous consumer-facing robotics bets delivered mixed results, the company is now shifting toward industrial and infrastructure applications, where demand is clearer and margins potentially stronger.
Recent moves including the acquisition of ABB’s robotics division signal a pivot toward large-scale automation in manufacturing and infrastructure development.
The Bigger Picture
SoftBank’s initiative highlights a critical evolution in the AI economy:
- The next wave of value may lie not in AI models, but in the infrastructure behind them
- Automation is expanding beyond software into real-world construction and operations
- Capital-intensive AI infrastructure is becoming a core battleground for global tech players
If successful, SoftBank’s robotics-driven data center model could redefine how AI ecosystems are built, turning infrastructure itself into a competitive advantage.