selfmoving

Self-moving refers to any system capable of moving through space by generating motion from internal energy without requiring continuous external propulsion. In physics and engineering, this includes self-propelled machines and vehicles driven by onboard energy sources, such as batteries or fuel, and designed to navigate autonomously or semi-autonomously. In biology, motility is achieved by cellular processes or tissues converting chemical energy into mechanical work, enabling organisms to move or change position.

Self-propelled motion at small scales often involves self-generated chemical gradients or internal actuation. Artificial micro-swimmers include Janus particles that catalyze reactions to create propulsion, and other microrobots using magnetic fields, light, or pressure changes. Biological examples include bacteria and algae that swim using flagella or cilia. At larger scales, automated vehicles, drones, ships, or robots are described as self-moving when they can initiate and adjust movement using onboard power without ongoing external thrust.

Key considerations include energy efficiency, control, directionality, and safety. The term self-moving is largely synonymous with self-propelled or autonomous in common usage, but it is less common in technical contexts where precise terms such as propulsion, locomotion, motility, or autonomy are preferred. The field intersects with active matter physics, where collections of self-propelled particles exhibit collective motion, and with robotics, where autonomous navigation relies on onboard sensing and computation.