The early years of YouTube produced countless unforgettable viral discoveries, and one of the most unusual is a video titled “Human Robot,” uploaded on August 21, 2007, by Operatívec. With more than 21.5 million views and 176,000 likes, the footage features Mike Michaels, the entertainer known as the Mechanical Magician. Although some viewers have confused him with David Kirk Traylor—better known as the robotic comedian Mr. Zed—they are entirely different performers. Michaels combines mime, robotic movement, magic and specially constructed mechanical effects to create the illusion of a living machine.
The routine is called Robot 9000, one of Michaels’ signature specialty acts. Moving with remarkable stiffness and precision, he appears to malfunction as mechanical noises, alarms and cartoon sound effects accompany his every action. The act builds towards an extraordinary finale in which his outer body appears to burst apart, revealing a moving robotic skeleton beneath it. Rather than being accomplished through mime alone, the spectacle combines Michaels’ physical control with elaborate electronics, specially designed costume pieces and practical stage illusions.
Behind the comic presentation lies an enormous amount of technical work. According to Michaels’ official biography, he spent more than 5,000 hours researching and developing an updated version of his award-winning act and its moving robotic skeleton. In 2009, he also began producing his own line of highly detailed magic equipment and illusions under the Robot Garage name. His published client list includes numerous professional magicians and illusionists, among them David Copperfield, Hans Klok, Darcy Oake, Piff the Magic Dragon and Princess Tenko.
Michaels’ official website says Robot 9000 has taken him to more than 50 countries and earned several international awards. His biography lists the Siegfried & Roy Golden Lion’s Head, the Magic Grand Prix in Monaco, the grand prize at China’s Wuqiao Festival and a top prize at Rome’s Golden Circus Festival among his honours. It also says he has performed before members of several royal families, including Romanian and Malaysian royalty, as well as appearing at a Royal Variety Performance attended by Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince Charles. Together, these achievements show that the viral YouTube favourite represents only one chapter in a much wider international career.