New Scientist Live: Photographs from the show floor

New Scientist's flagship event returns after a pandemic-induced hiatus. Here is our pick of the show, from a robot dog to Astronomer Royal Martin Rees telling us how science will save the world

By Emily H. Wilson

12 October 2022

Children investigate tropical听diseases and the world of parasites with the听Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology
Jonny Donovan

THERE were some excellent objects: everything from a state-of-the art robot 鈥渄og鈥� created by the geniuses at Boston Dynamics, via a Neanderthal hand axe, to some old-school potatoes with electrodes attached. There were some stunning lectures, tackling everything from the origin of life and consciousness, through dark matter, ultra-processed foods, climate change, faecal transplants and the role of science in government. One talk, on schools鈥� day, featured what sounded like dangerously large explosions, regardless of how far you were from that particular stage. And there were some excellent people: scientists, academics, artists, space photographers, herbalists, farmers, technologists 鈥� and, of course, so many of you, our wonderful readers, who joined both in person and online.

Yes, our flagship live event was back last weekend at the ExCeL London, after a pandemic-induced hiatus. I know, as the editor of New Scientist, you might think me horribly biased, but hand on heart, I loved every minute of it, and cannot wait to be back at the show next year.

The robot dog, by the way, was amazing to see in the wild rather than on a viral video. It was brought to the show by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and its handlers told me the authority had bought four of them so far from Boston Dynamics. One of those is currently being tested in a radioactive space at Sellafield, the UK nuclear waste site, as proof of concept for the use of robots in such conditions. The authority has other robots, they said, but none that can walk upstairs, as the Spot class robot dogs can.

Another highlight for me was schools鈥� day. We had many thousands of children at the show, which might sound like mayhem, but actually wasn鈥檛. The levels of engagement I witnessed, and the sheer love of science 鈥� both with the talks and with very interactive exhibits such as the Hospital of the Future created by King鈥檚 College London 鈥� was heartwarming and extraordinary.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy these pictures from the show here, and that you can join us on 7 and 8 October next year at New Scientist Live 2023!

boston dynamics robot dog