World's first robot able to give birth to human baby

Scientists at Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou, China, are developing a humanoid robot capable of carrying and delivering a human baby, a world-first innovation. Led by Dr. Zhang Qifeng, a PhD graduate from Nanyang Technological University, the team claims the technology is in a “mature stage.”

The robot will mimic the entire pregnancy process, from conception to birth, with the fetus growing inside an artificial womb, nourished via a tube and surrounded by artificial amniotic fluid. Dr. Zhang 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.”

Set to be priced at approximately £10,000, the prototype is slated for release next year. While specifics on fertilization remain unclear, the technology draws from prior success with premature lambs sustained in a “biobag.”

It aims to address China’s rising infertility rates, which climbed from 11.9% in 2007 to 18% in 2020. However, the innovation has sparked ethical concerns.

Critics argue it deprives fetuses of maternal connection and question its ability to replicate complex biological processes like maternal hormone secretion. Legal discussions with Guangdong authorities are underway to address these issues.