We have some devices that are impelled by magic, but usually it's a pony that provides the raw horse power that turns a crank or spins a wheel. So no, we don't use wind-up toys to scout out scary places!

You must hope that "sapient" robots remain fictional! If sapient robots were to be made, they would not be limited by gestation periods and child rearing. They would quickly out-compete every living thing for resources and eliminate all living threats and competitors. It's the logical outcome.