Evolution, Morphology and Exobiology

The more biology I learn, the harder and harder it becomes for me to understand how evolution could be considered the sole perpetraitor(spelling errors) for our existence. I'm not denying that natural selection occurs, and that traits are adapted, however it is hard for me to rationalize how we went from inorganic material to living beings. I'll make this a series of threads over the next few weeks, each week posting various questions and thoughts on the subject. Hopefully some of you can offer some comments.

If we look at an electronic device with memory and computational abilities, sensory and motor abilities, and we add recognition and cognative abilities by parallel processing beyond our abilities, would it be life. It consumes electricty end excretes it to ground circuits. It is programmed to survive and reproduce itself. What do we need to prove it is alive and what also to prove it is sentient? If you put it in front of a mirror and it discovered on its own that the imaga was itself, is that enough? Just aman