Some automata, such as bellstrikers in mechanical clocks, are designed to give the illusion to the casual observer that they are operating under their own power or will, like a mechanical robot. A postulated interior of the Duck of Vaucanson (1738–1739) Pinocchio automatonĪn automaton ( / ɔː ˈ t ɒ m ə t ən/ PL: automata or automatons) is a relatively self-operating machine, or control mechanism designed to automatically follow a sequence of operations, or respond to predetermined instructions. For Automata, see Automata (disambiguation). For other uses, see Automaton (disambiguation).
This article is about a self-operating machine.