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Welcome to Automata Magazine, an international online publication for builders, collectors, restorers, and lovers of automata.

This publication covers all aspects of these fascinating machines, including collecting them, their history, building them, restoring them, and anything else connected with automata.

Automata Magazine is published online around the first of every second month (i.e., January, March, May, etc.) in PDF format for you to download. When each magazine is available, you’ll receive an email letting you know.

To learn more about this publication, click here.

What is an automaton?
An automaton (plural, automata) is a representational kinetic sculpture. It contains moving human or animal figures or recognizable inanimate objects from real life, and is mechanically driven, either by a hand crank or motor.

In the early days, the goal of the automata artist was to replicate life as closely as possible. With the advent of contemporary automata, that goal has shifted somewhat. Humor, whimsicality, and fanciful situations have come to the fore. Still, automata, old and new, share certain characteristics and, regardless of their builders’ backgrounds, are expressions of artistic endeavor.

If you’d like to see some automata in action, please visit our YouTube channel.

Please look around our website and contact us with any questions or comments.

An Allegory of Love by Paul Spooner
Cecilia Schiller - Seeking Solace and Inspiration in the Office of Dr. Flowers.
In the Office of Dr. Flowers by Cecilia Schiller
Pulpo by David Bowman
Mechanism from Walter by Marc Horovitz

Digital Books from Automata Magazine

Automata Magazine are now offering digital books for sale.

Please go to the books page to find out more.

Wondering whether to subscribe to Automata Magazine? Check out the below video from one of the writers in the Jan-Feb 2022 issue.