Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-679780-20170307200224

Not to fuel to creepypasta meme, but it's just what the Sonic R description says:


 * As a last resort, Eggman manufactured this to catch Sonic unprepared. This, except for the power plant embedded in its head, is a mere stuffed animal, whose meager form nevertheless exhibits considerable ability in races due to its lightweight design. Still, it is also able to float in the air for a long time.

His description doesn't say he is a robot other than the fact the doll has a power source. While Sonic R was long before Sonic 4: Metal and Sonic Unleashed, these games kinda puts more Sonic lore logic towards the whole "demonic possessed doll" angle. The power source embedded in it's head could be another power source similar to the Lost Labyrinth treasure, or the crystal could be a source of Dark Gaia energy, given Dark Gaia minions are monsters known for possession and Dark Gaia itself looks like one of Lovecrafts eldritch horrors.

But still Sonic R was before Sonic 4: Metal and Sonic Unleashed, but re-reading the description from Sega.jp site, they never called him a robot. 