When is a liquid not just a liquid? When it’s a robot, according to
researchers at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. They placed a blob of
mercury in a tray studded with electrodes, and used software to vary the
potential at each. The magnetic fields this generates give the computer a degree
of motion control over the blob. “Can such a moving object, that has no sensor,
no actuator and no intelligence within itself be called a `robot’?” the
researchers ask.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Physics
The weirdness of neutrinos could completely rewrite particle physics
News
91É«ÇéƬ
A type of fibre that stimulates GLP-1 release approved for use in food
News
Space
The best new science-fiction novels published in July 2026
Culture
Environment
Slowdown of AMOC ocean current may be gradual and reversible
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
The world's fastest spider tops 3.5 metres per second
2
Babies are born with the neural foundations for maths
3
Where, when and how to watch the 2026 solar eclipse
4
We’ve uncovered a master gene that switches on human development
5
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
6
Read an extract from The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks
7
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
8
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater
9
The best new science-fiction novels published in July 2026
10
Slowdown of AMOC ocean current may be gradual and reversible
