Scientists to Develop World’s First Pregnancy Robot that Could Give Birth
- Scientists in China have unveiled a humanoid robot surrogate that could give birth to a live baby using artificial womb technology
- The innovation, led by Dr Zhang Qifeng, aims to replicate the full pregnancy process from conception to delivery
- If successful, the breakthrough could reshape fertility treatment and spark global ethical debate
In a groundbreaking development that could redefine the future of fertility and childbirth, scientists in China have claimed that the world’s first humanoid robot surrogate may soon be capable of giving birth to a live baby.
The innovation, led by Dr Zhang Qifeng, founder of Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou, involves a sophisticated artificial womb system designed to mimic the entire process of human pregnancy.
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Dr Zhang, a PhD graduate from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, stated that the technology had reached a “mature stage” and was now ready for integration into a humanoid robot.
”Now it needs to be implanted in the robot’s abdomen so that a real person and the robot can interact to achieve pregnancy, allowing the fetus to grow inside,” he said.
Humanoid robot pregnancy: conception to delivery
According to reports in Chinese media, the humanoid robot has been engineered to simulate pregnancy from conception to birth.
The infant would develop inside the robot’s body, receiving nutrients through a tube and surrounded by artificial amniotic fluid to replicate a womb-like environment. The gestation period would last nine months, culminating in the birth of a live baby.
However, the precise method of fertilisation—how the egg and sperm are combined—remains unclear. Experts have yet to confirm how the foetus would be implanted into the artificial womb, raising questions about the technical and biological processes involved.
Prototype expected to launch in 2026 for £10,000
Kaiwa Technology is expected to release a prototype of the humanoid robot next year, with an estimated price tag of £10,000 (100,000 yuan). The company has positioned the innovation as a potential solution to China’s rising infertility rates, which increased from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 18 per cent in 2020.
Dr Zhang noted that the concept is not entirely new, referencing previous scientific experiments where premature lambs were sustained for weeks inside a “biobag”—a type of artificial womb. He said the current project builds on that foundation, pushing the boundaries of reproductive science.
Legal and ethical implications under review
The announcement has already sparked debate over the legal and ethical ramifications of robot-assisted childbirth. Dr Zhang confirmed that discussions with Guangdong Province authorities were underway to draft policies and legislation that would govern the use of such technology.
If successful, the humanoid surrogate could revolutionise medical science and challenge traditional notions of family and fertility. The development may also offer new hope to couples struggling with infertility, potentially transforming reproductive healthcare in China and beyond.
Source: Legit.ng
