Summary
- Deus Ex Machina: The leader of all Machines, holding the power in the Matrix universe with a massive network.
- Armadas & Tow Bombs: Threatening floating Machines equipped with explosives make Neo and Trinity dodge danger.
- Caretakers & Docbots: Tiny machines monitoring humans in the Matrix, disconnecting upon waking up for a vital role.
The Machines are the overarching group of antagonists in The Matrix franchise, and here are all 11 types of machines that appear in the movies, explained. The world of The Matrix is absolutely massive, with every corner of the film franchise being packed full of lore, hidden details, and things that can be expanded on. Due to the majority of The Matrix saga taking place within the Matrix, the Machines aren't seen all that much, with Neo and the gang more regularly facing off against Programs. However, these 11 Machines have been confirmed to exist in The Matrix universe.
Lots happened in the world of The Matrix before the first movie, with the Machines constructing a dystopia that Neo and the rest of the humans are fighting to reclaim throughout the four mainline Matrix movies. In the lore of the universe, the Machines started out as household servants and other types of basic appliances. However, the Machines' various conflicts with the humans eventually led to a massive war, one that the Machines won. This caused the creation of the Matrix, with the vast majority of humanity being locked in the simulation, while these Machines dealt with those outside.
11 01 Ambassadors
Appear In The Animatrix
One of the earliest Machines confirmed to exist is the 01 Ambassadors, who appear in The Animatrix short The Second Renaissance. The 01 Ambassadors came from the world of the Machines, with them being sent to the United Nations to negotiate the end of the war. However, the Ambassador was secretly strapped with a bomb, exploding and killing many of the remaining humans. The Ambassadors aren't seen in the live-action The Matrix movies, but they play a big role in the franchise's history nevertheless.
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10 Armadas
Appear In The Matrix Revolutions
The Armadas are some of the most threatening Machines in The Matrix universe, with them being massive floating Machines that surround the Machine City of 01. The Armadas are equipped to launch another type of explosive Machine, Tow Bombs, making them uniquely dangerous. Neo and Trinity had to take on a barrage of Armada artillery while flying to 01, with them having to dodge the various Tow Bomb projectiles.
9 Bugs
Appear In The Matrix
The aptly named Bugs (not to be confused with The Matrix Resurrections character of the same name) are a terrifying Machine variant that exists inside the Matrix, with them being unique in this way. As is seen in the original The Matrix film, Bugs crawl under the skin of humans, allowing the Machines to track them. Agent Smith puts a Bug under Neo's skin early in The Matrix, with it having to be removed later in the film to keep his position a secret.
8 Caretakers
Appear In The Matrix
Caretakers are extremely tiny machines that exist within The Matrix universe, with them playing a vital role in taking care of the humans that exist inside the Matrix. Caretakers are used to monitor the status and vitals of of the Machines' human crops, allowing the Machines to know which humans are doing okay. Upon waking up, however, the Caretakers disconnect from their humans, allowing them to exit the pods.
7 Deus Ex Machina
Appears In The Matrix Revolutions
Deus Ex Machina is the big bad of The Matrix universe, with it being the leader of all the Machines. Living at the center of Machine City, Deus Ex Machina is the leader of all of the Machines, with him interfacing with the various robots on a massive network. Deus Ex Machina is essentially the god of The Matrix universe, with Neo knowing that he has to take the villain down in order to stop the Machines and save humanity.
6 Diggers
Appear In The Matrix Revolutions
Diggers are some of the biggest creatures in the Machines' arsenal, with the ferocious robots being giant drilling Machines. Although they were previously used for construction work, The Matrix franchise mainly portrays them as combatants, with the Machines using then at the Battle of Zion to take down the city in The Matrix Revolutions. Although the Diggers were far from the only Machines present at the battle, they were easily the most threatening, with it being incredibly difficult to take them down.
5 Docbot
Appear In The Matrix
Docbots are the terrifying tentacled Machines that are tasked with maintaining the human crops, with them working alongside the Caretakers to watch over the pods that the mindless human bodies reside in. Docbots are essentially the scientists of The Matrix, with them performing experiments on humans in The Animatrix before becoming more focused on maintaining human life in The Matrix timeline.
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4 Harvesters
Appear In The Animatrix
As the first batch of humans began to die off, the Machines realized that they had a problem, as they needed a continuous supply of batteries in order to keep everything running. This led to the creation of artificial human fetuses, with a massive field of developing children existing in the real world. The Harvesters are the machines that overlook these fetuses, with them harvesting them once they are sustainable and jacking them into the Matrix.
3 Sentinels
Appear In The Matrix
The Sentinels are another type of tentacled Machine, but unlike some of their peers, they are one of the most hostile types of machines. Sentinels act as patrol units for the Machines, with them monitoring abandoned human cities and other places where rebels could be hiding out. The Sentinels are seen chasing the main cast of The Matrix several times throughout the franchise, with their destructive abilities making them a massive threat to human ships.
2 Tow Bombs
Appear In The Matrix Reloaded
The Tow Bombs are small, insect-like Machines that are known for homing in on targets and exploding, as they are seen doing throughout the franchise. Tow Bombs are the Machines behind the destruction of The Matrix ship Nebuchadnezzar, showing just how dangerous they are. Tow Bombs first appeared in The Matrix Reloaded, before again reappearing in The Matrix Revolutions and the video game Enter the Matrix.
