Chinese scientists are working on the world’s first “gestation robot” that could potentially give birth to a live baby, according to a report by The Telegraph.
The machine is being developed to imitate a natural pregnancy, allowing a fetus to grow from conception to delivery inside an artificial womb. Nutrients would be supplied through a tube, similar to how a mother’s body supports a child during pregnancy.
The project is being led by Dr Zhang Qifeng, a scientist from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, through Guangzhou-based Kaiwa Technology. Dr Zhang has said that the technology is already in a “mature stage” and is now being prepared to be implanted in the robot’s abdomen. This would allow real human interaction with the robot while the fetus grows inside. A prototype is expected to be launched in 2026, with an estimated cost of about 100,000 yuan (around $14,000).
If successful, the robot could provide a new solution for infertile couples or individuals who wish to avoid the physical challenges of pregnancy. Globally, infertility affects about 15 per cent of couples, and this breakthrough could revolutionise reproductive science. The technology builds on past artificial womb research, such as a 2017 experiment where premature lambs were kept alive in a synthetic fluid-filled “biobag.”
However, the project has also sparked debates over ethics and safety. Experts are raising concerns about issues such as emotional bonding between mother and child, the source of eggs and sperm, and the long-term psychological effects on children born this way. Dr Zhang’s team is reportedly in discussions with Guangdong Province authorities to address legal and ethical questions before moving ahead.
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