In WALL-E, the starship’s autopilot robot that opposes the return to Earth is designated AUTO.
AUTO is the red-eyed autopilot system controlling the Axiom, the enormous starliner carrying humanity. He follows a secret directive from the ship’s former human CEO: keep the Axiom in space and prevent the passengers from returning to an uninhabitable Earth. When Captain McCrea receives evidence that Earth can support life again, AUTO treats the return order as a threat to that directive.
The character is presented as a wheel-like robotic control unit attached to the ship’s bridge. His conflict with the captain gives the film a science-fiction version of a mutiny, but AUTO’s behaviour comes from programmed obedience rather than personal ambition.
AUTO is often confused with EVE, the sleek probe sent to Earth, or M-O, the cleaning robot. EVE investigates Earth, M-O cleans contamination, and AUTO manages the Axiom’s navigation and command systems.