Tech meets medicine, an example of how robots can be used to save lives. From now on, midwifery students can practice a birth with robot Victoria.

The students midwifery of the Thomas More school in Lier (Belgium) can welcome Victoria and her baby Emma Charlotte. Victoria is the most sophisticated midwifery simulation robot on the market. Students can practice a delivery in a very realistic way. As a result, they are better prepared for the practice.

The obstetrics course has been using a simulation robot for decades. With the new robot Victoria, students can train even more realistic high-risk situations than they used to.

Victoria gave birth today for the first time, under broad press attention. She can do everything a really woman can do. On top of that, she can simulate all possible emergencies that may occur during childbirth, so we can prepare midwives for the important task that awaits them.

It is the most sophisticated birth robot in the world. - Danny Peeters, professor of midwifery

The robot has cost 150,000 euros. That investment is absolutely worthwhile. A lot has been invested in the reality level. When you look at this robot, it really looks like a woman and more importantly: the new born baby moves, can cry and has a heartbeat. Technically, the robot is a masterpiece: the doll can talk, a breathing can be simulated, it can bleed and the computer even responds to injections of various substances.

The students are allowed to work with the robot from the second year onwards. They do that gradually, from simple to complex situations, because it is very confrontational.

Before midwives graduate, they have to pass an assessment in which they have to solve an emergency situation. We are also very proud that most students succeed solving these problems. It means that we can increase the safety of the births in this region, thanks to the midwives. The students are also much more confident on internships if they have already trained with the simulation doll. - Danny Peeters