SoftBank weighs Allied Universal deal to put robots on security patrol

SoftBank Group Corp. is in preliminary discussions to acquire Allied Universal, the largest security services company in the US, according to a Bloomberg report published October 16, 2026. The potential deal is valued at approximately $18 billion in equity. Factor in debt, and the total transaction value comes close to $30 billion. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has long wanted to put AI-powered robots into labor-heavy industries. A company with hundreds of thousands of guards would give him a very large testing ground. What SoftBank is reportedly looking at Allied Universal employs about 770,000 people and operates in more than 100 countries. It generates about $23 billion in annual revenue. Roughly $18 billion would go to equity holders. About $12 billion represents debt that would come along with the business. The talks remain in early stages. No definitive agreement has been reached, and no price has been set. The robot thesis behind the bid Under SoftBank’s reported vision, Allied Universal’s operations would serve as a pilot program. Technologies under consideration include security patrol robots and automated monitoring systems. Allied has already integrated AI tools, includ...