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Autons

Autons are a fictional alien lifeform in the Doctor Who universe. They consist of living plastic beings animated by the Nestene Consciousness, a hive mind that can project itself through a network of plastic matter. Autons inhabit everyday plastic objects and take humanlike forms in order to operate within human society, often appearing as shop window mannequins or other benign props until activated.

Origin and nature: The Nestene Consciousness is a sentient entity that controls vast quantities of plastic

Capabilities and weaknesses: Autons can reanimate inanimate plastic items, granting them the appearance and motion of

Notable appearances and impact: The Autons first appeared in the classic serials, notably Spearhead from Space

See also: Nestene Consciousness, Doctor Who, UNIT.

across
space.
Through
a
telepathic
or
psychic
link,
it
directs
the
Autons
to
carry
out
invasion
or
reconnaissance
missions.
Autons
themselves
have
limited
independent
will
and
act
as
soldiers
or
agents
for
the
Nestene
program,
executing
orders
with
a
focus
on
infiltration
and
disruption.
living
beings.
They
can
be
armed
and
coordinated
as
a
fighting
force,
capable
of
rapid
movement
and
manipulation
of
their
surroundings.
They
are
vulnerable
to
damage,
particularly
heat
and
fire,
which
can
disrupt
or
destroy
their
forms.
Their
disguise
can
be
breached
by
careful
observation
or
direct
combat.
(1970)
and
Terror
of
the
Autons
(1971),
establishing
them
as
enduring
adversaries
for
the
Doctor
and
UNIT.
They
have
been
revisited
in
later
New
Who
stories,
underscoring
themes
of
consumer
culture
and
the
fragility
of
everyday
objects
when
animated
by
alien
control.