Abstract: In an electromagnetic actuator for moving an object, a plurality of electromagnetic circuits is provided to produce a moving magnetic field in a substrate. There is disposed a flexible resilient plate wholly or partially made of a magnetic material. When the electromagnetic circuits impart a magnetic force to the magnetic material to produce a traveling wave in the flexible resilient plate. Also, a magnetic fluid may be disposed on the substrate and the flexible resilient plate be disposed in close contact with the surface of the magnetic fluid.