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Through its newest exhibition “Life Imagined – The Art and Science of Automata” takes visitors on a whimsical tour of mechanical creations from 1850 to modern day. From the Greek word automatos, meaning “moves on its own,” automata are the first complex machines produced by man. Long before robots were the reality they are today, automata were created as an attempt to simulate nature and domesticate natural forces. These attempts to imitate life by mechanical means and the use of these principles have in turn resulted in the evolution of technology over centuries. From objects of entertainment and awe, automata became the foundation for advancements in industrial robotics.