Chinese Company Unveils World’s First Robot with Artificial Womb

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A Chinese tech company, Kaiowa Technology, has unveiled what it calls the world’s first robot equipped with an artificial womb, capable of carrying out pregnancy and childbirth on behalf of women. The announcement has sparked widespread discussion among scientists and ethicists.

The innovation was presented at the 2025 World Robotics Conference in Beijing. Founder Zhang Chi Feng explained that the robot can replicate the entire process from fertilization to birth. The artificial womb can carry a fetus for up to 10 months in a synthetic amniotic fluid environment, with nutrients supplied through a tube simulating the umbilical cord.

The conference also showcased the first AI-powered mating robot, reflecting China’s growing efforts to combine artificial intelligence with biotechnology across various fields.

Kaiowa Technology plans to release the prototype in 2026, with a price tag under 100,000 yuan (around $13,900). The device targets individuals who wish to avoid the physical demands of pregnancy or face infertility challenges.

The announcement has divided opinions. Some see it as a breakthrough in reproductive medicine, while others warn of potential ethical and legal implications. Zhang noted that discussions are ongoing with authorities in Guangdong Province to establish appropriate regulations and legal frameworks.

While the concept of artificial wombs is not entirely new—researchers in Philadelphia successfully supported a lamb fetus in a “biobag” until full growth in 2017—experts say moving from late-stage fetal support to full-term artificial pregnancy remains a significant scientific challenge.