A memory-controlled, sensor/actuator machine senses conditions in its environment at given moments, and attempts to produce an action based upon its memory. However, a sensor/actuator machine will stop producing new behavior if its environment is removed. A sensor/sensor unit can be added to the sensor/actuator machine, forming a compound machine. The sensor/sensor unit produces a stream of internally created sensed conditions, which can replace the sensed conditions from the environment. This illusion of an environment is similar to consciousness. In addition, actuator/sensor and actuator/actuator units can be added to this compound machine to further enhance its ability to function without an environment. Predetermined and empirical memory cells can be distributed throughout the control units of this compound machine to provide instinctive and learned behavior. The internal and exterior behavior of this compound machine can be modified greatly by changing the cycle start and ramp signals that activate these different kinds of memory cells. These signals are similar in form to brain waves.