The Ancients created the machine as part of their research into the creation of the Asuran race which developed from a nanovirus weapon. It appeared as a smooth table where a puddle of nanite material formed which were capable of forming a cohesive bond after which it was capable of taking on a more Human based appearance. It was also possible to create a small block of nanite cells, however, by disabling too many of the cells' basic protocols, the structure was incapable of communicating with one another and collapsed apart back into its puddle shaped form.