Android

Androids (アンドロイド) are humanoid machines built (usually from scratch) to closely match the shape of the human body.

Etymology
The term was derived from the Greek root andr- (ἀνδρ-, "man, male") and the suffix -oid (-ειδ, "having the form or likeness of"). Although the term is used for robots in the shape of a human, both male and female, the ones with a female appearance can also be referred to by the term.

Principles
An android is a type of robot, which is designed to closely match the shape and structure of a human body. Unlike cyborgs, which are developed around an organic base, with mechanical components connected to, replacing and functioning together with organic parts,           an android is built on a purely mechanical basis, with artificial parts being made (often from scratch) and assembled into a humanoid form.

Depending on the quality of their construction, an android might seem indistinguishable from a human on the outside. Although modelled on the structure of the human body, depending on the materials and technology used in their construction, an android's physical capabilities might greatly exceed those of a normal human.

There is an android development plant in School District 22. Certain android technologies and units, such as some connected to the Dark Side of Academy City, are not known to the public.

One notable case is Ladybird, a highly advanced machine developed by Kihara Hasuu, who was advanced enough to possess thoughts and emotions much like those of a human, and even utilize an esper ability. In conversation with Ladybird, Hasuu mentioned that the term android indicated "an artificial human built with an engineering approach" and as such, it seemed appropriate to him for a completed android to behave like a human (though this did not detract from his deception and cruelty regarding her). Unknown to Ladybird herself (who had believed her development as an android with an esper power would eventually mean that human test subjects would no longer have to be sacrificed for esper development research),  she was actually designed to regularly extract and incorporate external brain matter to address an issue with her own brain. When Hamazura Shiage learned of this, he felt that Ladybird did not strictly fit the definition of an android.

Toaru Majutsu no Index Movie: Miracle of Endymion
Ladylee Tangleroad's female automaton was made from science side android technology.

Acqua of the Back Arc
Academy City's unmanned troops which surrounded Acqua of the Back in the third level of School District 22, and were easily defeated by him included Mimosas, armored vehicles, and androids.

Operation Handcuffs Arc
The android Ladybird (who actually extracted and incorporated some organic matter for her functions) played a major role in the events surrounding Operation Handcuffs.

Known Androids

 * Ladybird
 * Female Automaton