SoftBank is considering acquiring Allied Universal, a US private security giant, for around $18 billion

Masayoshi Son would eventually like to entrust some of the surveillance tasks to robots. Discussions are at a preliminary stage; SoftBank’s share price fell by 9.5 per cent.

SoftBank Group is considering acquiring Allied Universal, the largest security services provider in the United States, in a deal that would value the company at around $18 billion in equity, according to Bloomberg reports confirmed by a Reuters source. Allied Universal provides security guards to companies, venues and major events, and is expanding into data centers from construction to operation. With about $12 billion in listed debt, the total value of the deal could approach $30 billion.

The takeover would be part of Masayoshi Son's strategy to deploy AI-enabled robots in many sectors and strengthen the infrastructure needed for the technology. SoftBank is reportedly looking to gradually replace some of the staff with robots for some surveillance tasks, although humanoid agents are not coming anytime soon. The group had already completed the purchase of ABB's robotics division for $5.4 billion last year. No decision has been made, neither on principle nor on price; SoftBank has not commented, and its stock fell 9.5% on October 16.