Automaton

machines · mechanical · clever design · history

Self-operating machines. Automatons are machines designed to work on their own by following a set of instructions or rules built into them. They don't need a person to control every movement, making them like the ancestors of today's robots.

Mechanical puppets. Many automatons look like humans or animals and move in lifelike ways to amaze and entertain people. They were especially popular in Europe hundreds of years ago as toys and attractions for royalty and the wealthy.

Tricks and illusions. Some automatons, like the bell strikers in mechanical clocks, are designed to fool people into thinking they're alive or magical. The mechanics hidden inside make them appear to work all by themselves, even though every movement was planned by an engineer.

Ancient and clever. People have been building automatons for thousands of years, using gears, springs, and weights to power them. The oldest ones were created to solve puzzles or to mark time in creative and surprising ways.