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Automaton
Self-operating machine / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with automation as a process.
This article is about a self-operating machine. For other uses, see Automaton (disambiguation). For Automata, see Automata (disambiguation).
An automaton (/ɔːˈtɒmətən/; 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.[1] 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. The term has long been commonly associated with automated puppets that resemble moving humans or animals, built to impress and/or to entertain people.
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Animatronics are a modern type of automata with electronics, often used for the portrayal of characters or creatures in films and in theme park attractions.