Hyundai Motor Group was reported by media in South Korea to be set to buy SoftBank Group’s remaining 9.7% stake in robotics company Boston Dynamics for $325 million, assuming full ownership of the business.

Newspaper Maeil Business reported SoftBank had an option in its contract when it sold the bulk of the business to Hyundai to divest the remainder under certain terms.

Having apparently informed Hyundai of its intention to sell, the automotive company decided it would buy the rest subject to approval at a series of board meetings.

SoftBank sold 80% of its holding in former Alphabet business Boston Dynamics in 2021. Its interest in the company has subsequently reduced to the share Maeil Business reported it held today (19 June).

Boston Dynamics’ robots are a regular sight at technology events and other showcases, including robotic dog Spot and humanoid unit Atlas. Its products are aimed at industrial sectors including manufacturing, logistics and construction.

The newspaper noted Hyundai would likely focus on commercialisation of Atlas and undertaking a long-rumoured IPO of the robotics company after completing the buy.

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SoftBank Group’s mobile payment subsidiary PayPay inked a deal to acquire a 70% stake in T&D Financial Life Insurance Company for JPY134 billion ($840 million), part of an aim to broaden its range of financial services.

When launched in 2018 PayPay focused on providing contactless mobile payments but has since widened this to include credit cards and other banking services. It had a base of more than 74 million users as of May 2026.

Announcing the deal, PayPay said the move to buy the life insurance company from T&D Holdings was part of an ambition to “provide comprehensive financial services tailored to each stage of users’ lives”.

The company intends to grow T&D Financial Life’s business through use of its existing platforms and by creating “new customer experiences in the digital life insurance domain”.  

In a linked deal, asset management company One Investment Management intends to buy a stake of almost 15% in the insurance company from T&D Holdings. The current owner will retain the other 15%, though a call option on this is being inserted into the acquisition agreement.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Alongside the proposed acquisition, PayPay agreed a “comprehensive business alliance” agreement 3with T&D Holdings, largely concerning the latter’s insurance brand Taiyo Life.

The pair will “explore the development and provision of services designed to enhance customer convenience and help address social issues, while also drawing on AI, digital technologies, and other capabilities of SoftBank Corp”.

The pact is set to include: offering T&D Holdings’ Taiyo Life insurance products on the PayPay app; exploring call centre enhancement and operational efficiency for Taiyo Life; and jointly exploring a “smart senior city concept”.

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