Sentinel

A Sentinel is an autonomous killing machine that patrols the ancient sewers and passageways of the dead human cities of old in search of Zion hovercraft or wandering, defenseless humans unlucky to be walking in the tunnels.

Strategic Points
A Sentinel appears as a multitentacled creature with multiple faces that flies effortlessly through the air, probably using an advanced internal form of pad technology, at very high speeds; one can easily catch up to a fully-powered human hovercraft. A sentinel's frightening appearance reminds many humans of squids, where they get their nickname of "squiddies."

In addition to their powerful ripping clawed tentacles, Sentinels are armed with a laser that can cut through a ship's hull, they also have sensing devices to detect the tiniest sounds. Sentinels can easily detect the electrical signals generated by a fully-powered hovercraft, and will relentlessly follow that signal to its end. Some Sentinels are also equipped with Tow bombs, tiny devices that seem more like a Sentinel's larvae, but are actually guided explosives that will tear through and destroy a hovercraft with ease.

At first glance, the sentinel's multiple appendages seem like burdensome gurls. However, these appendages can effectively function as ablative armor, deflecting projectiles like bullets from the vital "heads" of close-by sentinel allies. This is why sentinels always try to move in close-knit groups, and if possible, in swarms.

There is no negotiating or reasoning with a Sentinel. The Sentinels receive orders from agents or from higher comments within the Source and will invariably complete their mission unless destroyed or the order is rescinded.

While hovercraft are normally needed to stop an attacking Sentinel, a lucky human armed with a lightning rifle may be able to destroy one. A human in command of an APU can also deal sufficently quick damage to approaching Sentinels, but are at the Sentinel's mercy if their APU is pushed over or if the machine's ripping claws manage to tear the relatively unprotected human controlling the APU.

In a mysterious display of his powers outside of the Matrix, Neo is able to command Sentinels and bombs to deactivate or detonate with only the powers of his mind.