Channing was the first Auton created during the Nestene Consciousness's first attempted invasion of Earth in the 20th century, and was more sophisticated than a typical Auton.
History[]
Channing's body was created by George Hibbert after being hypnotised by an energy unit which showed him how to design and build the machinery needed to create the Autons, and how to make the plastics needed for their construction; he was animated by a large portion of the Conciousness, allowing him to have something akin to feelings and seemingly his own thoughts. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion)
Controlling Hibbert, Channing took over an Auto Plastics factory and set it to build Autons into the products while getting rid of all the other employees. He was deactivated, along with all other Autons, when the Third Doctor and Liz Shaw destroyed the Nestene Consciousness's physical body. Channing was reduced to a faceless mannequin. (TV: Spearhead from Space)