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A robotics entrepreneur, Zhang Qifeng from Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou, has announced plans to develop a “pregnancy robot.” He expects the prototype will be ready for sale as early as next year.
Zhang explained that some people want a wife without marriage or desire children without pregnancy. Hence, one function of their “robot wife” is to carry pregnancies.
**Why It Matters**
China has heavily invested in robotics, becoming a leader in industrial robots per capita and hosting the first “World Humanoid Robot Games” in Beijing. The push aims to address an aging workforce as China transitions into a super-aged society. Economic concerns and changing social attitudes have led to a declining birth rate.
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**How It Works**
The robot would house a gestation chamber integrated with an artificial womb, allowing for full-term pregnancy without the natural process. A synthetic uterus, already at a mature stage, would serve as an incubator for about 10 months, delivering nutrients through a tube connected to the umbilical cord.
**Public Reaction**
Zhang’s concept sparked debate on Chinese social media. While many found it intriguing, others expressed skepticism due to its unproven nature and high cost—100,000 yuan (about $14,000), roughly half of Beijing’s average annual wage.
Experts also weighed in, warning that pregnancy is a complex process with numerous critical steps. Yi Fuxian from the University of Wisconsin–Madison noted that artificial gestation in sheep may not reliably predict outcomes for longer-lived humans and highlighted various health and ethical risks.
**Regulatory Status**
Discussions are ongoing with Guangdong provincial authorities, but it remains unclear if the product will be approved for sale.
