Chinese scientist develops robot with artificial womb for human pregnancy
Robots can do a lot these days.
Cleaning houses, building machines, helping doctors in surgery, and now, a scientist based out of China is working on a robot that can carry a human fetus to term.
The 'pregnancy robot,' according to outlet Chosun Biz, 'is designed in a humanoid form and is equipped with an artificial womb in its abdomen, allowing it to carry a fetus for 10 months and give birth.'
The fetus will be supplied with nutrients via a hose connected to the 'artificial womb filled with artificial amniotic fluid,' according to Dr Zhang Qifeng .
Zhang, according to the New York Post , is Kaiwa Technology's founder.
Homed in the Chinese city of Guangzhou , Zhang said that 'The artificial womb technology is already in a mature stage, and 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.'
The appeal surrounding a pregnancy robot is the price tag that goes along with it. Chosun Biz said that the prototype will fetch nearly 100,000 yuan (RM 58,838) , or about US$14,000 (RM 59,170 ).
This is a steep reduction in price compared to a human surrogate, which can cost between US$100,000 (RM 422,650) and US$200,000 (RM 845,300) in the United States , according to Circle Surrogacy.
The robot has received both scrutiny and celebration by those in China , with some inquiring about the ethics of such a pregnancy. Others, however, wrote that 'women have finally been liberated,' Chosun Biz wrote.
The prototype is expected to debut some time next year, though the fertilisation and implantation process was not discussed by Zhang, Chosun Biz said. – Staten Island Advance, N.Y./Tribune News Service
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
7 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Ninja Van opens 44 delivery lanes to global markets
NINJA Van Malaysia has launched 44 new international delivery lanes, providing Malaysian businesses with direct access to key markets across Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Including existing routes to Singapore and the Philippines, the company now serves a total of 46 international destinations, making it one of the most accessible cross-border logistics networks available to local brands. Ninja Van said the expansion marks a significant step forward in Malaysia's cross-border trade capabilities, offering one of the most affordable shipping solutions in the market at over 50 per cent lower cost than traditional services. "As global e-commerce continues to surge, this enables local brands to participate more competitively and scale their businesses with confidence," it added. Designed for the underserved segment of Malaysia's e-commerce sector, Ninja Van said its new cross-border solution addresses long-standing barriers that have hindered small and medium- enterprises from expanding internationally. According to industry projections, the Malaysian e-commerce market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 14 per cent, reaching RM36.2 billion (estimated US$8.6 billion) by 2027. Between 2016 and 2023, more than 1.51 million local businesses entered the e-commerce industry, signalling strong entrepreneurial momentum and the country's readiness to go global. Despite a strong desire to expand globally, many Malaysian brands are still held back by high shipping costs, complicated customs processes and limited infrastructure, Ninja Van said. Both express and postal delivery options currently come at a high cost. "Ninja Van Malaysia's latest expansion bridges this gap by offering new international delivery lanes with an accessible, cost-effective logistics solution tailored for SMEs in Malaysia," it said. According to Jeremy Hong, regional vice president of Ninja Van Cross-Border, the expansion is timely and necessary. "The world is no longer out of reach for Malaysian brands. With the launch of these 44 new international lanes, we are offering a practical and cost-effective way for local businesses to enter new markets, build a global customer base, and grow confidently. "Our goal is simple: to eliminate the friction from cross-border logistics so businesses can focus on what matters most- creating, innovating and scaling without limits," he added. In Malaysia, the company operates a 260,000 square foot hub in Shah Alam, supported by more than 160 hubs, 5,000 drop-off and pick-up points and 7,000 vehicles. Regionally, Ninja Van moves over two million parcels daily and has enabled more than 270,000 merchants for cross-border shipping, ensuring consistent service and full visibility from pick-up to final delivery.
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Google fined US$36m over Android search deals in Australia
SYDNEY: Google has agreed to pay a Aus$55 million (US$36 million) fine for making deals to pre-install only its search engine on Android phones sold by Telstra and Optus. Australia's competition watchdog filed proceedings in the Federal Court alongside Google Asia Pacific for the penalty. The court will now determine if the fine and related orders are appropriate, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. 'Conduct that restricts competition is illegal in Australia because it usually means less choice, higher costs or worse service for consumers,' said commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb. Google admitted to striking deals with Telstra and Optus between December 2019 and March 2021 while cooperating with regulators. Telstra and Optus received a share of advertising revenue in exchange for exclusively pre-installing Google's search engine. 'Google has admitted in reaching those understandings with each of Telstra and Optus it was likely to have had the effect of substantially lessening competition,' the commission stated. Google said it was pleased to resolve the regulator's concerns, noting the provisions were no longer in its agreements. 'We are committed to providing Android device makers more flexibility to preload browsers and search apps,' a Google spokesperson said. Telstra and Optus signed court-enforceable agreements last year not to make new default search deals with Google for Android devices. - AFP
Malaysiakini
40 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
Hui Ying: US$9.5b Boeing aircraft purchases won't affect national debt
PARLIAMENT | The second phase purchase of Boeing aircraft valued at US$9.5 billion (RM40 billion) will neither impact Malaysia's debt levels nor affect its fiscal deficit, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. Lim said that the aircraft purchase is part of the plan outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
