China Working on First Robot That Could Give Birth, Prototype to Roll Out in 2026
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Chinese researchers are pushing the boundaries of reproductive science with the creation of the world’s first " gestation robot ", a groundbreaking technology designed to carry and give birth to a human baby. According to The Telegraph, this innovation aims to replicate the entire process of pregnancy, from conception through delivery.
How It Works
The concept involves a fetus growing inside an artificial womb , where it will receive nutrients through a connected tube. While the exact details of egg and sperm fertilisation remain undisclosed, the system is designed to mimic the natural conditions of pregnancy as closely as possible.
The Team Behind the Project
The project is being developed by Guangzhou-based Kaiwa Technology under the leadership of Dr Zhang Qifeng , a scientist associated with Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Dr Zhang believes the research has reached an advanced stage. He explained, "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."
Purpose and Potential
If successful, this robot could transform fertility treatments. It may provide hope for couples struggling with infertility and for individuals who choose not to undergo traditional pregnancy. A prototype is expected to be unveiled in 2026, with an estimated cost of 100,000 yuan (around $14,000 USD).
Ethical Questions and Concerns
Despite its promise, the technology has raised significant ethical and social concerns. Experts are debating issues such as the psychological effects on children born this way, the nature of bonding between mother and child, and the sourcing of reproductive cells. Authorities in Guangdong Province are already working with Dr Zhang’s team to draft policies and legislation addressing these questions.
A Step Forward in Reproductive Science
This development builds on earlier experiments in artificial wombs, such as the 2017 study where premature lambs were sustained in a "biobag" filled with synthetic amniotic fluid. While still experimental, the new project signals a major shift in reproductive possibilities, potentially reshaping the future of childbirth and offering solutions to the 15 per cent of couples worldwide who face infertility.
How It Works
The concept involves a fetus growing inside an artificial womb , where it will receive nutrients through a connected tube. While the exact details of egg and sperm fertilisation remain undisclosed, the system is designed to mimic the natural conditions of pregnancy as closely as possible.
The Team Behind the Project
The project is being developed by Guangzhou-based Kaiwa Technology under the leadership of Dr Zhang Qifeng , a scientist associated with Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Dr Zhang believes the research has reached an advanced stage. He explained, "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."
Purpose and Potential
If successful, this robot could transform fertility treatments. It may provide hope for couples struggling with infertility and for individuals who choose not to undergo traditional pregnancy. A prototype is expected to be unveiled in 2026, with an estimated cost of 100,000 yuan (around $14,000 USD).
Ethical Questions and Concerns
Despite its promise, the technology has raised significant ethical and social concerns. Experts are debating issues such as the psychological effects on children born this way, the nature of bonding between mother and child, and the sourcing of reproductive cells. Authorities in Guangdong Province are already working with Dr Zhang’s team to draft policies and legislation addressing these questions.
A Step Forward in Reproductive Science
This development builds on earlier experiments in artificial wombs, such as the 2017 study where premature lambs were sustained in a "biobag" filled with synthetic amniotic fluid. While still experimental, the new project signals a major shift in reproductive possibilities, potentially reshaping the future of childbirth and offering solutions to the 15 per cent of couples worldwide who face infertility.
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