Technology
Creepy robot mom that gives birth is training future midwives
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Most hospital training labs use basic dummies or simple mannequins to teach medical skills. Students practice procedures, learn techniques and move on to real patients later. But a new childbirth simulator called Mama Anne takes training to a very different level. This lifelike robot blinks, breathes and even talks while helping midwifery students practice delivering babies before they ever step into a real delivery room. And if the idea of a robot going into labor feels a little creepy, you are not alone.
At York St. John University in York, England, educators have introduced the simulator as part of a new approach to hands-on medical training. The technology allows students to experience complex labor scenarios in a safe environment where mistakes become learning moments instead of medical emergencies. And yes, the robot actually gives birth.
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Mama Anne is a high-fidelity childbirth simulator used to train midwifery students in realistic labor and delivery scenarios before they work with real patients. (Laerdal Medical)
How the robot childbirth simulator trains future midwives
The simulator known as Mama Anne looks and behaves much like a real patient in labor. Developed by Laerdal Medical, the high-fidelity mannequin was designed to recreate real childbirth conditions with startling realism.
Students interact with Mama Anne as if she were an actual patient. Her eyes blink and react to light. Her chest rises and falls as she breathes. She even has pulses that can be felt in multiple places across the body. Most importantly, she can deliver a baby mannequin during a simulated birth.
Unlike older training models that stayed mostly static, this simulator moves and reacts during labor. It can deliver in several positions, including lying back or on all fours. It can also display vital signs that change in response to medical complications. In short, it turns a classroom exercise into something that feels much closer to a real hospital scenario.
Why robot childbirth simulators are becoming essential
For decades, midwifery training relied heavily on textbooks, observation and limited hands-on practice. That approach left a major gap. Many students encountered their first true emergencies only after they began working in clinical settings.
Now technology is filling that gap. Simulation tools like Mama Anne allow students to practice high-risk situations repeatedly before they ever treat a real patient. As a result, students build confidence while instructors guide them through difficult scenarios.
For example, the simulator can recreate several dangerous childbirth complications, including:
- Postpartum hemorrhage with realistic blood loss
- Shoulder dystocia when a baby becomes stuck during delivery
- Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia with changing vital signs
- Sepsis symptoms that require rapid treatment
Students also practice everyday clinical skills such as monitoring fetal heart rate, giving injections and managing labor from start to finish. Because the training environment is controlled, instructors can pause a scenario, explain a mistake and run it again.
The robot even teaches communication skills
Medical training is not only about technical procedures. Communication with patients matters just as much. Mama Anne helps with that, too.
The simulator can speak using recorded responses or real-time dialogue through hidden speakers. Students must explain procedures, ask for consent and reassure their patient just as they would in a real delivery room.
If someone touches the simulator without asking first, it can react and vocalize discomfort. That feature reinforces one of the most important lessons in modern healthcare: patient consent and respectful care always come first.
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The lifelike simulator can blink, breathe, display vital signs and deliver a baby mannequin to recreate complex childbirth situations. (Laerdal Medical)
Why universities are investing in this technology
Educators believe simulation training dramatically improves how healthcare students prepare for the real world. Rebecca Beggan, midwifery program lead at York St. John University, says hands-on simulation helps students build both competence and confidence before clinical placements.
Students can experience an entire labor scenario from beginning to end. They learn antenatal care, labor management and postnatal care in a single immersive exercise. Instructors also say the technology helps protect students from the emotional shock of encountering their first medical emergency without preparation. Instead of facing those situations cold, students enter clinical placements with real practice under their belt.
The future of childbirth training
The arrival of hyper-realistic simulators like Mama Anne suggests medical education is entering a new era. Instead of learning mostly through observation and experience, future healthcare professionals may train through realistic simulations that mirror real hospital conditions.
That shift could change everything from how nurses train to how surgeons rehearse complex procedures. Technology will never replace human caregivers. However, it can help prepare them better than ever before.
What this means to you
Even if you never step into a medical classroom, this technology could still affect your life. Better training often leads to better patient outcomes. When healthcare providers practice emergency scenarios in advance, they react faster and make fewer mistakes during real emergencies.
For expectant parents, that can mean safer deliveries and more confident medical teams in the room. Simulation training also reflects a broader shift in healthcare education across the United States. Many hospitals and universities are adopting high-fidelity simulators for surgery, emergency care and trauma response. The goal is simple: Let students practice difficult situations before lives are on the line.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
A robot that gives birth may seem a little creepy at first. Still, tools like this could become common in medical training down the road. Students gain hands-on experience. Instructors guide them through emergencies. Patients benefit from better-prepared medical teams. The next generation of midwives may enter the delivery room with far more practice than any class before them. As medical simulators grow more realistic and more widespread, one question naturally follows.
Students use the simulator to practice emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia and other complications in a safe training environment. (Laerdal Medical)
If robots can train doctors to deliver babies today, what other parts of healthcare might soon be practiced first in simulation labs instead of hospitals? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
YouTube is launching a new AI feature that creates a personalized video feed based on descriptions of what you want to watch. In its announcement, YouTube says custom content feeds can be built around your specific interests, moods, or favorite topics, which you can then pin to the top of your YouTube homepage — making it easy to jump back into the feed.
This feature is currently rolling out with English language support to YouTube users in the US who are signed-in on the YouTube mobile app or desktop. To access it, click on the “Your custom feed” tab at the top of the YouTube homepage and enter a prompt description into the AI text box. For example, you can ask the YouTube AI to “help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes,” or for “deep-dive tech podcasts about AI,” and then receive a curated feed based on your request.
It’s similar to other AI-powered feed customization features we’ve seen from other platforms, including Spotify’s prompted playlists. Instagram also gave users more control over their Reels feed algorithm in December, though that uses topic lists rather than descriptive prompts.
YouTube says that prompts can be edited at any time to “generate a brand new space” by selecting the text box at the top of your custom feed. To see the “Your custom feed” tab, YouTube says you need to ensure your search and watch history are enabled in your account settings. If the AI messes up your feed request, you can also report the issue to YouTube by clicking the 3-dot menu on the feature tab and selecting “Something wrong?” to leave feedback.
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Bank security can feel confusing because every account seems to handle it differently. One bank sends a text. Another sends an email. Another asks you to approve a login inside its app. So when someone says, “Use stronger two-factor authentication,” it is fair to wonder what that actually means.
Kyra from West Plains, Missouri, reached out to us asking:
I watched your podcast video where you talked about two-factor authentication and getting codes by email from your bank and other accounts. My accounts seem to do that automatically, as far as I know. Is that enough, or do I need to contact my bank to make sure it’s set up correctly
Kyra, this is a great question because a lot of people are in the same boat. They see a code pop up and assume they are fully protected. The truth is a little more complicated. Text or email codes are better than having only a password.
Text and email codes, however, are not always the strongest options. Scammers have found ways to steal codes, trick people into sharing them or take control of a phone number through a SIM swap scam. Once scammers control your number, they may receive the text codes needed to get into accounts that use SMS-based multi-factor authentication.
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Bank customers using text-message security codes may still face risks from SIM swap scams and phishing attacks. Cybersecurity experts recommend stronger login protection when available. (Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
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What two-factor authentication actually does
Two-factor authentication, also called 2FA or multi-factor authentication, adds another step when you log in. Instead of relying only on your password, the account asks for something else to prove it is really you.
That “something else” might be a code sent by text, a code from an authenticator app, a security key or a prompt inside your bank’s mobile app. Two-factor authentication is one of the best ways to protect your accounts because it adds a second layer beyond your password.
So, Kyra, if your bank already sends you a code, that is a good sign. It means some form of extra protection is turned on. But the next question is whether your bank offers a stronger option.
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Why text message codes are not the strongest choice
Text message codes are popular because they are easy to use. Most people know how to read a text and type in a code. That convenience comes with risk.
A SIM swap scam happens when a criminal tricks your phone carrier into moving your phone number to a device they control. Once that happens, your calls and texts may go to the scammer instead of you. The American Bankers Association warns that scammers may try to intercept two-factor authentication codes so they can access financial accounts.
Scammers can also call, text or email while pretending to be your bank. They may say there is fraud on your account and ask you to read back a code. That code may actually be the key they need to log in. Scammers often try to trick people into sharing verification codes because they need both the password and the code to break into an account.
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That is why the safest rule is simple: Never share a bank security code with anyone who contacts you. A real bank should not call and ask you to read back a login code.
Why an authenticator app is usually better
When your bank supports it, an authenticator app is usually a stronger choice than text messages. Apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy and Duo Mobile generate a changing six-digit code on your phone.
The big advantage is that the code is created inside the app. It usually works even when you do not have cell service. It also does not depend on your phone number, which helps reduce the risk from SIM swap scams.
That said, authenticator apps are not magic. If you type a code into a fake banking website, a scammer may still capture it. One-time password authentication isn’t phishing-resistant. Still, authenticator apps remove some of the biggest weaknesses tied to text-message codes.
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Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection to online banking accounts, but not all methods offer the same level of security. Authenticator apps and passkeys are generally safer than text codes. (Kyle Ericksen/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
The strongest option, if your bank offers it
Some banks and financial services give you stronger ways to prove it is really you when you log in. Two of the strongest options are hardware security keys and passkeys.
A hardware security key is a small physical device, often shaped like a USB stick, that you plug into your computer or tap against your phone to approve a login.
A passkey lets you sign in using your device, such as your phone or computer, often with Face ID, Touch ID, a fingerprint or a screen lock.
These options are harder for scammers to steal because they are designed to work only with the real website or app. That means a fake banking website usually cannot trick them the same way it can trick someone into typing in a text code.
For most people, the safest order is simple: use a security key or passkey if your bank supports it. If not, use an authenticator app. If text codes are the only option, keep them turned on because they are still better than using only a password.
How to check your bank’s security settings
You may not need to visit a branch. In most cases, you can check this from your bank’s official website or app.
Start from a computer if you can. Go directly to your bank’s official website by typing the web address yourself. Do not click a link from a text or email, even if it looks real.
Then look for a section with a name like:
- Security
- Login & Security
- Privacy & Security
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- 2-Step Verification
Once you are there, look for an option called Authenticator app. Some banks may use different wording, such as authentication app, one-time passcode app, TOTP, security app or third-party authenticator. If you see that option, follow the setup steps. Your bank will usually show a QR code on your computer screen. Open your authenticator app on your phone, tap Add account or the + button, then scan the QR code. The app will generate a six-digit code. Enter that code on your bank’s website to confirm setup.
Do not skip the backup codes
This part matters more than people realize. If your bank gives you backup codes, save them right away. Print them and store them somewhere safe, or place them in a secure password manager. These codes can help you get back into your account if your phone gets lost, damaged or replaced.
Also, make sure your bank has your current email address and phone number on file. If your recovery information is old, getting back into your account can become much harder.
If you share access with a spouse or trusted family member, ask your bank how additional users should set up their own secure login. Avoid sharing one password or one authenticator code when the bank offers separate user access.
What to do if your bank only offers text codes
Some banks may not offer a third-party authenticator app, but may let you approve logins inside the bank’s own mobile app. That can be stronger than a text message because the approval happens inside the banking app rather than through your phone number.
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If yours only offers text-message codes, do not turn them off. Text codes are still better than no second layer at all. However, you should ask your bank whether it supports a stronger option. You can call the number on the back of your debit or credit card, use secure messaging inside the bank’s app or visit a branch.
Ask this: “Do you support authenticator apps, passkeys, hardware security keys or app-based login approval for online banking?”
If the answer is no, keep text codes turned on. Then strengthen the parts you can control. Use a strong and unique bank password, and store it in a trusted password manager so you do not have to remember it or reuse it anywhere else. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
In addition, ask your mobile carrier to add a port-out PIN, number transfer lock or account security PIN to help reduce SIM swap risk. Also, turn on account alerts for transfers, password changes and new device logins.
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Security experts warn that scammers can intercept text verification codes or trick customers into sharing them. Customers should never provide login codes to unsolicited callers or texts. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Should Kyra contact her bank?
Yes, but she probably does not need to walk into a branch unless she prefers in-person help. Kyra should first log in to her bank’s official website or app and check the security settings. If she sees an authenticator app, passkey, security key or app-based approval option, she should consider using it. If she only sees text or email codes, she should keep them turned on and contact the bank to ask whether stronger login options are available.
She should also make sure her bank password is strong and unique, protect her email account with strong two-factor authentication and confirm that her account alerts are turned on.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Kyra’s question gets to the heart of account security. Seeing a code arrive by text or email can feel reassuring. And yes, it is better than relying on a password alone. However, bank accounts deserve the strongest protection your bank offers. If you can move from text codes to an authenticator app, that is a smart upgrade. If your bank supports a passkey or security key, even better. And no matter which method you use, never give a security code to someone who calls, texts or emails you out of the blue.
Have you checked whether your bank still relies on text codes, and would you switch banks if yours refused to offer stronger login protection? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Ferrari released the first interior images of the company’s first all-electric supercar, called the Ferrari Luce (“light” in Italian). This is the second time the Italian automaker has teased the Luce (formerly Elettrica) without showing us the actual car, or even a silhouette. But the interior images should suffice given the bold-faced name of the designer: Jony Ive.
Ferrari decided to outsource the work of designing the Luce’s interior to Ive and his partner Marc Newson, who together run the design shop LoveFrom. Ive, obviously, is well known for his work as Apple’s former chief designer, overseeing such iconic products as the iMac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Now he’s turning his attention to a vehicle from Ferrari — and perhaps, in the process, giving us an idea of what an Apple car could have looked like, had the tech giant decided to pursue its secretive Project Titan instead of spiking it.
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