Automaton (自動人形,Jidō Ningyō (Ōtomaton), lit. "Automated Doll") is an autonomous doll installed with one or two magic circuits. Usually, there are two magic circuits installed inside it; the magic circuit, Eve’s Heart, which enables it to have autonomous movement, intelligence and its own will, and another magic circuit, which allows it to cast a particular type of magic art. An automaton requires a puppeteer to transmit magic energy into it in order to function, and when it is damaged, it can recover faster when one is closer to it. Though it is autonomous with its own will, it can still be controlled forcibly by a puppeteer. An automaton is commonly used by a puppeteer for battles. It is highly valued and is therefore treasured by its puppeteer. A common automaton is made with mechanisms powered by oil.
The word "automaton" is the latinization of the Ancient Greek αὐτόματον, automaton, (neuter) "acting of one's own will". This word was first used by Homer to describe an automatic door opening, or automatic movement of wheeled tripods. It is more often used to describe non-electronic moving machines, especially those that have been made to resemble human or animal actions, such as the jacks on old public striking clocks, or the cuckoo and any other animated figures on a cuckoo clock.[1]
