IN A groundbreaking step for fertility treatment, researchers have reported the first live birth using a fully automated, digitally controlled, remotely operated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) system. The milestone, detailed in a recent case report, represents a major leap forward in the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Developed to execute all 23 micromanipulation steps required in ICSI, the system was pre-clinically validated using animal models before its first clinical application. In the case study, five donor oocytes were injected using the automated system under remote digital supervision. For comparison, three additional oocytes were fertilised manually by embryologists.
The automated system achieved an 80% fertilisation rate, closely matching the 100% rate of the manual group, and produced two usable blastocysts, identical to the control group. A fresh embryo transfer from the automated ICSI group did not result in pregnancy, but a frozen-thawed blastocyst led to the birth of a healthy baby at 38 weeks of gestation.
Nearly half of all micromanipulation steps were performed entirely by the AI-powered system, with the remainder completed via remote digital control. While on-site human assistance was still required for setup and troubleshooting, the findings suggest that automation can reliably perform the most delicate tasks of ICSI.
This breakthrough could pave the way for greater standardisation, accessibility, and efficiency in IVF clinics worldwide. As autonomy improves, such systems could help overcome workforce shortages and expand access to high-quality fertility care, especially in underserved or remote regions.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Mendizabal-Ruiz et al. A digitally controlled, remotely operated ICSI system: case report of the first live birth. Reprod Biomed Online. 2025;DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104943.
