A future pregnant with promise

Chinese researchers have announced that they are developing a humanoid robot with an artificial womb designed to replicate the entire process of human pregnancy—from conception to birth. Led by Dr Zhang Qifeng of Kaiwa Technology, the project was unveiled at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing. The artificial womb, filled with synthetic amniotic fluid and connected to a nutrient delivery system, is intended to support foetal growth through a full-term gestation. A prototype is expected by 2026, with an estimated cost of about 1,00,000 yuan (around ₹12 lakh).

- NIRMAL JOVIAL

The idea builds on earlier work, like the 2017 “biobag” experiment in Philadelphia, where researchers kept premature lambs alive for up to four weeks in a fluid-filled bag that mimicked the womb. Not surprisingly, the project has triggered heated ethical debates—ranging from concerns over disrupted maternal bonding and psychological effects on children to questions about sourcing eggs and sperm. Supporters, however, see it as a breakthrough for infertility treatment and a way to reduce pregnancy-related health risks.