Experts are developing technology, which is in the ‘mature stage’, that will mimic a pregnancy from conception to delivery.

The world’s first humanoid robot surrogate could give birth to a live baby, scientists have claimed.

Experts are developing technology that will mimic a pregnancy from conception to delivery, with the infant growing inside an artificial womb and receiving nutrients through a tube.

After nine months, a live baby will be born, according to Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company Kaiwa Technology, in the city of Guangzhou.

Dr Zhang, a PHD graduate from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, has claimed the technology is already in a “mature stage”.

He added: “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”.

A prototype of the robot is expected to be launched in 2026, with an estimated cost of around 100,000 yuan (approximately $14,000 USD).

The technology has sparked debate about ethical implications, including concerns about fetal-maternal bonding, sourcing of eggs and sperm, and psychological impact on the child.

Meanwhile, the technology is expected to revolutionise reproductive science and provide new options for individuals facing infertility challenges, which affects approximately 15 per cent of couples globally.

The concept builds on existing artificial womb research, including a 2017 experiment where premature lambs were grown in a “biobag” filled with synthetic amniotic fluid.

As per the report, Dr Zhang’s team is engaging with Guangdong Province authorities on policy and legislation to address legal and ethical questions surrounding the technology.