Crossword Genius

Car-rug on a robot? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

automaton

'a robot?' is the definition.
(I know that robot can be written as automaton)

'car-rug on' is the wordplay.
'car' becomes 'auto' (automobile).
'rug' becomes 'mat' (both are floor coverings).
'auto'+'mat'+'on'='AUTOMATON'

(Other definitions for automaton that I've seen before include "Zombie" , "Mechanical figure" , "Robotic figure" , "working robot" , "One doesn't think" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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