Nice observation.
I'm guessing you were playing on the edge scenario.
Small tip: All automatons are built fully fueled.
The way I do it on survivor mode without generator: Build automaton 1, make him work. Start build automaton 2 and seconds before it's completion close the factory. So as soon as automaton 1 stops working, open the factory and automaton 2 comes into play. Dismantle automaton 1 for steam core and steel, and repeat with automaton 2. It's micromanaging and exhausting but that way you can keep an automaton working during nights.

Well you see the automation was... It gets its fuel from... During....

I guess it gets fuel from the same source as automaton scouts.

What didn't get mentioned is that one of the scouts mysteriously went missing after the encounter. The Automaton hungers.

More seriously, it's probably an oversight. However it's fun to ponder the possible solutions. In Frostpunk 2 there's a moment where you find an Automaton that has been constantly operating for a long time and it notes that the Automaton recharges at a nearby natural steam vent. There's also a possible logic that low-intensity tasks use up less energy for the Automaton; cleaning a bridge might be a very low power task while doing work in the city, like operating a factory or hothouse, quickly depletes the power supply.

I suppose there's also the possibility that "Automaton" could be referring to any automated machinery and whatever they found on the bridge wasn't actually the same as the Automatons operated in the city, but instead was a similar device that could be repurposed in to a city Automaton.

Sathreyn님이 먼저 게시:

. . . I suppose there's also the possibility that "Automaton" could be referring to any automated machinery and whatever they found on the bridge wasn't actually the same as the Automatons operated in the city, but instead was a similar device that could be repurposed in to a city Automaton.

I enjoyed reading your thoughts, but this last theory does not work as we have the option to send the automaton back to the city do do regular tasks. Thus it must work the same as the others. The part you said about natural steam vents interested me. Perhaps there are people who do not realize that the far north has some nice hot springs. It would be a great DLC to incorporate a settlement near a natural hot spring. If you have ever been soaking in a hot spring in 40 below weather (as I have) you would appreciate the wonder of it. I have no experience with 120 below, I wonder if and when that hot spring would freeze over.