Masquerading as simple shop-window mannequins the Auton soldiers are plastic brought to life. With guns built into their hands they smash down the windows of department stores and march relentlessly along city streets gunning down all who stand in their way.
Their control over plastic is total. A telephone lead can snake around your neck in an instant, or a doll come to life with only one urge - to kill.
The Autons also made a long awaited return to the series in the very first episode of the new series with Christopher Eccleston - "Rose"