Technobots
Encyclopedia
The Technobots are a subgroup of five Autobots that transform into futuristic vehicles in the Transformers universe. Their counterparts are the Terrorcons.
While the Technobot team utilizes the same combining technology earlier used by the Aerialbots
, Stunticons, Combaticons
, and Protectobots
, Computron is one of the few combiners with only one consistent combination. This is due to several of the smaller Technobots being different sizes when forming a leg or arm. Lightspeed and Nosecone are consistently the left and/or right legs, and Afterburner and Strafe are consistently the right and left arms. As Computron, the team's group dynamic allows them to create a super-intelligent gestalt whose mind and thought processes have been compared to "500 supercomputers". However, due to the various differences in viewpoint and procedure of the five Technobots, Computron can often take a long time to reach a conclusion, sometimes too late to put it to use.
in leaving Cybertron
for the planet Nebulos (Transformers: Headmasters #1). However, a crew of Decepticons under Maximus' rival Scorponok
pursued them and the war began anew on Nebulos. Assisting the Autobot Headmasters Brainstorm and Hardhead
against the Terrorcon
s and Horrorcons
, the Technobots were first seen combining to form Computron in Transformers: Headmasters #3. They once again battled the Terrorcons as Abominus, defeating him and forcing the Decepticons to flee. Realising the damage the war was doing, the Autobots, including the Technobots, departed Nebulos for Earth (Transformers: Headmasters #4).
When Maximus' forces linked up with the Earthbound Autobots, they encountered resistance from Autobot leader Grimlock
, who was unhappy they might resurrect Optimus Prime
and topple him. Scattershot was present when Grimlock
fought Blaster
for leadership of the Autobots on Earth's moon. The Autobots were then attacked by the Decepticons led by Ratbat
(Transformers #41), although Scattorshot was not seen to be killed. The Technobots were last seen trying to stop the Underbase powered Starscream
in issue 50, as they were all taken out and deactivated. The Technobots were never seen again in the U.S. Marvel Transformers series. While they may have been destroyed by Starscream
, many of the other characters he disabled in that issue eventually returned to the series.
's core, Grimlock
becomes super-intelligent, and creates the Technobots to combat the Terrorcons. The Terrorocons combine into Abominus and to combat him, Grimlock transferred his vast intellect into Computron, the Technobots' combined form. This leaves Grimlock in the same mental state as before. Computron defeats Abominus quickly.
The Technobots appear on numerous other occasions, including when they are assigned to destroy a Quintesson
base on Titan
with the help of Marissa Fairborne. While the Quintessons
control the Terrorcons they have them unite into Abominus to face the Technobots. The Technobots quickly form Computron and are successful in defeating the Terrorcons and Quintessons
.
They try to stop the Terrorcons from stealing a special heat-resistant alloy. The two teams merge into their combined forms, but Computron's need to analyse every strategy before committing himself leads to Abominus swiftly defeating him.
The Technobots also appear in the season 4 episode "The Rebirth Part 1". They are on Earth when the Decepticons attack Autobot City.
The Technobots appear numerous times in the Headmasters series, first seen in the third episode.
In episode 27 of Headmasters, "Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters Part 1" the combined might of Computron, Defensor and Raiden is used to destroy the abandoned Decepticon base on Earth.
, Kup
and Wheelie
, along with their human allies Spike Witwicky and Daniel Witwicky send Computron into battle against Galvatron
's new warrior combiner Abominus. The Terrorcons spit "corrosive control liquid" against Computron, taking control of him and turning him into a Decepticon. Spike luckily uses his new Exosuit to free Computron with "defense spray." Defeated, Galvatron retreats.
and the Technobots appeared working together in IDW Comics' comic book miniseries, The Transformers: Stormbringer
. They investigated a mysterious energy spike on the deserted surface of Cybertron. Jetfire, Lightspeed, Scattershot and Strafe went down to the surface to investigate, but were ambushed and taken out by Bludgeon
's troops. Nosecone and Afterburner's ship was shot down, but they managed to launch a distress beacon first and get to an escape pod. The three captured Technobots were cannibalized for their parts, while Bludgeon revealed his true plan—to reanimate Thunderwing
. Nosecone and Afterburner were left on the surface on Cybertron, and were about to be killed by Centurion drones when help arrived—the Wreckers
, who saved them both. The Wreckers subsequently attacked Bludgeon's cult, and rescued the Technobots. They then helped Jetfire to decode Bludgeon's data, helping shut Thunderwing down for good. They are unable to merge into Computron at this point, as the Combining technology has not yet become widespread.
. The experiment backfired and it brought out the flaws in each Technobot, resulting in insanity for Computron. Optimus Prime enjoyed the new Computron and refused to repair him. Alpha Trion
was then able to sway Computron to his side.
The Technobots are among the acolytes of Alpha Trion who respond to his return to their world. When Breakaway, Landquake
, Skyfall and Topspin
escape Alpha Trion Scattorshot offers to have the Technobots hunt them down, but Alpha Trion instead assigns them to help relocate his base. The four rogue robots are eventually uncovered by Computron. Although Computron chases the quartet, they escape to the Decepticons headquarters, and Computron faces off against Abominus.
Transformers: Generation 1
The five Technobots combine into Computron.- Computron
The combined form of the Technobots.
Voiced by Bert KramerBert KramerBert Kramer was an American actor, who was born in San Diego. He appeared in many different television shows including Kojak, The Bionic Woman, The Rockford Files, Dallas, Dynasty and Matlock. He is probably best known for playing Alex Wheeler on the soap opera Texas, a role he played from 1980 to...
.- ScattershotScattorshotScattorshot is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Initially spelled "Scattershot" it is believed that Hasbro changed the spelling for the character to more easily trademark the name.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
He transforms into a spaceship / battle station.
He is the leader who forms the torso of Computron.
His solution to the Decepticon problem is to empty as many weapons in their direction as possible. He refuses to stop until he is defeated or out of ammunition. He resorts to name-calling when others disagree with him.
Voiced by Stephen Keener. - LightspeedLightspeed (Transformers)Lightspeed is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Some English dubs of the Transformers: Victory animated series use the name Lightspeed for the character of Braver.-Transformers: Generation 1 :...
He transforms into a car.
He forms the left leg of Computron.
Despite his popularity and blazing speed as a car, he longs to be converted into an interstellar spacecraft.
Voiced by Danny MannDanny MannDaniel "Danny" Mann is an American voice actor, writer, singer, musician, and production manager. He is best known for his voice of Hector from Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats, Freeway, Cloudraker and Lightspeed in Transformers, Backwoods Beagle in DuckTales, Kaltag in Balto, Ferdinand from Babe,...
. - StrafeStrafe (Transformers)Strafe the name of two fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. They are both members of the Technobots, an Autobot subgroup, who turn into aircraft.-Transformers: Generation 1:Strafe forms right arm of Computron...
He transforms into a space fighter. He forms the right arm of Computron.
He is a trigger happy fighter who's as much a danger to friends as he is to enemies.
Voiced by Steve BulenSteve BulenJames Steven Bulen , better known as Steve Bulen, is an American voice actor. He has been doing voices for many animated films and television shows for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Hanna-Barbera as well several video games and anime titles such as Doomed Megalopolis, Giant Robo, Outlaw Star,...
. - NoseconeNosecone (Transformers)Nosecone is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Autobots who turn into drilling machines.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
He transforms into a Cybertronian drill.
He forms the right leg of Computron.
He is very intelligent, but slow and methodical about completing a given task.
Voiced by David Workman. - AfterburnerAfterburner (Transformers)Afterburner is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Afterburner forms left arm of 'Computron'...
He transforms into a motorcycle.
He forms the left arm of Computron.
He is known for frequently arguing with authority figures.
Voiced by Jim CummingsJim CummingsJames Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
.
- Scattershot
While the Technobot team utilizes the same combining technology earlier used by the Aerialbots
Aerialbots
The Aerialbots are a group of Autobots that transform into aircraft and combine to form the giant robot Superion. They were introduced into the Transformers toyline in 1985 and sold as a Superion gift set, and then sold separately in 1986 in most department stores...
, Stunticons, Combaticons
Combaticons
The Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
, and Protectobots
Protectobots
The Protectobots are a fictional emergency, search and rescue team of five Autobots in the Transformers toyline. They transform into civilian service and emergency vehicles and combine to form the combiner Defensor...
, Computron is one of the few combiners with only one consistent combination. This is due to several of the smaller Technobots being different sizes when forming a leg or arm. Lightspeed and Nosecone are consistently the left and/or right legs, and Afterburner and Strafe are consistently the right and left arms. As Computron, the team's group dynamic allows them to create a super-intelligent gestalt whose mind and thought processes have been compared to "500 supercomputers". However, due to the various differences in viewpoint and procedure of the five Technobots, Computron can often take a long time to reach a conclusion, sometimes too late to put it to use.
Marvel Comics
The Technobots were among the Autobots who joined Fortress MaximusFortress Maximus
Fortress Maximus is the name of several fictional characters from several of the various Transformers universes. Fortress Maximus appeared in the season 4 finale of the US Transformers animated series voiced by Stephen Keener. He was one of the stars of the Japanese Transformers: Headmasters...
in leaving Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
for the planet Nebulos (Transformers: Headmasters #1). However, a crew of Decepticons under Maximus' rival Scorponok
Scorponok
Scorponok is the name shared by several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons that turn into Scorpoins.- Transformers: Generation 1:...
pursued them and the war began anew on Nebulos. Assisting the Autobot Headmasters Brainstorm and Hardhead
Hardhead (Transformers)
Hardhead is the name of two fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The first is a stubborn Autobot tank, the second a simple minded Predacon dinosaur.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
against the Terrorcon
Terrorcon
The name Terrorcons refers to several different groups in the Transformers toyline. They are referred to as Terrortrons in Japan.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
s and Horrorcons
Horrorcons
The Horrorcons are a subgroup of the Headmasters group in the Transformers toy line.The Horrorcons consist of two Decepticons: Apeface and Snapdragon, both of which transform into three modes: humanoid robot, aeroplane and animal and have very obnoxius, repellent personalities.-Apeface:Apeface is...
, the Technobots were first seen combining to form Computron in Transformers: Headmasters #3. They once again battled the Terrorcons as Abominus, defeating him and forcing the Decepticons to flee. Realising the damage the war was doing, the Autobots, including the Technobots, departed Nebulos for Earth (Transformers: Headmasters #4).
When Maximus' forces linked up with the Earthbound Autobots, they encountered resistance from Autobot leader Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
, who was unhappy they might resurrect Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
and topple him. Scattershot was present when Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
fought Blaster
Blaster (Transformers)
Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...
for leadership of the Autobots on Earth's moon. The Autobots were then attacked by the Decepticons led by Ratbat
Ratbat
Ratbat is the name of several fictional characters who appeared in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:As is the case with many Transformers characters, the various continuities in which Ratbat has appeared have portrayed him widely differently in terms of size, personality,...
(Transformers #41), although Scattorshot was not seen to be killed. The Technobots were last seen trying to stop the Underbase powered Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
in issue 50, as they were all taken out and deactivated. The Technobots were never seen again in the U.S. Marvel Transformers series. While they may have been destroyed by Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
, many of the other characters he disabled in that issue eventually returned to the series.
Animated series
The Technobots first appear in the season 3 episode "Grimlock's New Brain". After biting through a computer's cables located inside CybertronCybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
's core, Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
becomes super-intelligent, and creates the Technobots to combat the Terrorcons. The Terrorocons combine into Abominus and to combat him, Grimlock transferred his vast intellect into Computron, the Technobots' combined form. This leaves Grimlock in the same mental state as before. Computron defeats Abominus quickly.
The Technobots appear on numerous other occasions, including when they are assigned to destroy a Quintesson
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
base on Titan
Titan (moon)
Titan , or Saturn VI, is the largest moon of Saturn, the only natural satellite known to have a dense atmosphere, and the only object other than Earth for which clear evidence of stable bodies of surface liquid has been found....
with the help of Marissa Fairborne. While the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
control the Terrorcons they have them unite into Abominus to face the Technobots. The Technobots quickly form Computron and are successful in defeating the Terrorcons and Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
.
They try to stop the Terrorcons from stealing a special heat-resistant alloy. The two teams merge into their combined forms, but Computron's need to analyse every strategy before committing himself leads to Abominus swiftly defeating him.
The Technobots also appear in the season 4 episode "The Rebirth Part 1". They are on Earth when the Decepticons attack Autobot City.
The Technobots appear numerous times in the Headmasters series, first seen in the third episode.
In episode 27 of Headmasters, "Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters Part 1" the combined might of Computron, Defensor and Raiden is used to destroy the abandoned Decepticon base on Earth.
Manga/book/novel
In the Japanese book/ novel (manga) "Big War" Chapter 2, the Autobots Rodimus Prime, GrimlockGrimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
, Kup
Kup
Kup is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universe. All are older Autobots who are members of the Elite Guard. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time...
and Wheelie
Wheelie (Transformers)
Wheelie is the name of two different fictional characters in the Transformers series.-Generation 1:The first Wheelie is a young Autobot who turns into a car. He has a distinctive style of speech, in which he rhymes his sentences while speaking in a high pitched voice, making him sound like a child....
, along with their human allies Spike Witwicky and Daniel Witwicky send Computron into battle against Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
's new warrior combiner Abominus. The Terrorcons spit "corrosive control liquid" against Computron, taking control of him and turning him into a Decepticon. Spike luckily uses his new Exosuit to free Computron with "defense spray." Defeated, Galvatron retreats.
Dreamwave Comics
Scattershot and the Technobots received biography pages in Dreamwave Comics' More Than Meets the Eye and War Within series, however they did not appear in any other Transformers series due to the company's closure.IDW Comics
JetfireJetfire
Jetfire is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. He is nearly always depicted as an Autobot with jet or space shuttle alternate mode.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and the Technobots appeared working together in IDW Comics' comic book miniseries, The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Stormbringer is a comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing.The series debuted in July, 2006 and is set during the same time frame as The Transformers: Infiltration...
. They investigated a mysterious energy spike on the deserted surface of Cybertron. Jetfire, Lightspeed, Scattershot and Strafe went down to the surface to investigate, but were ambushed and taken out by Bludgeon
Bludgeon (Transformers)
Bludgeon is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, he is now marketed by Hasbro as Decepticon Bludgeon. They are all Decepticon warriors who turn into tanks.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
's troops. Nosecone and Afterburner's ship was shot down, but they managed to launch a distress beacon first and get to an escape pod. The three captured Technobots were cannibalized for their parts, while Bludgeon revealed his true plan—to reanimate Thunderwing
Thunderwing
Thunderwing is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Introduced in 1989, he was a major villain in the Marvel Comics Transformers series. Although Thunderwing was created after the US Transformers television series ended, the character of Black Shadow did appear in...
. Nosecone and Afterburner were left on the surface on Cybertron, and were about to be killed by Centurion drones when help arrived—the Wreckers
Wreckers (Transformers)
The Wreckers are a sub-team of Autobots in the fictional Transformers universe, functioning essentially as a commando unit. They are not derived from the Transformers toyline but rather are the creation of Marvel UK writer Simon Furman, who introduces the Wreckers in the story arc Target:2006...
, who saved them both. The Wreckers subsequently attacked Bludgeon's cult, and rescued the Technobots. They then helped Jetfire to decode Bludgeon's data, helping shut Thunderwing down for good. They are unable to merge into Computron at this point, as the Combining technology has not yet become widespread.
Other media
The Technobots are a favorite toy of the character Lucas in the book The Annoyance Bureau By Lucy Frank.Toys
- Generation 1 Technobot Computron (1987)
- The toys were first released in 1987 and continued to be sold in 1988. They were sold separately but also available together as a gift set. They are red, orange or brown with white highlights.
Transformers: Generation 2
The Generation 2 Go-Bots were sold under the name "Tecnobots" in some European countries, however they were not related to the original Generation 1 Technobot characters. Strafe for a new toy for Generation 2, but was no longer a Technobot, he was now a Cyberjet.Transformers: Timelines
This version of Computron is from a mirror reality where the Autobot are evil and the Decepticons heroes.- Computron
The combined form of the Technobots.- ScattershotScattorshotScattorshot is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Initially spelled "Scattershot" it is believed that Hasbro changed the spelling for the character to more easily trademark the name.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
He transforms into a spaceship / battle station.
He is the leader who forms the torso of Computron. - LightspeedLightspeed (Transformers)Lightspeed is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Some English dubs of the Transformers: Victory animated series use the name Lightspeed for the character of Braver.-Transformers: Generation 1 :...
He transforms into a car.
He forms the right leg of Computron. - StrafeStrafe (Transformers)Strafe the name of two fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. They are both members of the Technobots, an Autobot subgroup, who turn into aircraft.-Transformers: Generation 1:Strafe forms right arm of Computron...
He transforms into a space fighter.
He forms the left arm of Computron. - NoseconeNosecone (Transformers)Nosecone is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Autobots who turn into drilling machines.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
He transforms into a cybertronian drill.
He forms the left leg of Computron. - AfterburnerAfterburner (Transformers)Afterburner is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Afterburner forms left arm of 'Computron'...
He transforms into a motorcycle.
He forms the right arm of Computron.
- Scattershot
Fun Publications
Computron was created as a combiner for the Autobots. Although the individual Technobots are all geniuses in their fields, when united they formed a highly ambitious super genius called Computron who suppressed all their individual flaws. In his arrogance Computron attempted to grant enhanced intelligence to GrimlockGrimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
. The experiment backfired and it brought out the flaws in each Technobot, resulting in insanity for Computron. Optimus Prime enjoyed the new Computron and refused to repair him. Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...
was then able to sway Computron to his side.
The Technobots are among the acolytes of Alpha Trion who respond to his return to their world. When Breakaway, Landquake
Landquake
Landquake is the name to two different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Energon:In the animated series, Landmine was evolved by Primus into a new form. In Japan, this was an upgrade which was reflected in the show, where he was called Landmine Supermode. ...
, Skyfall and Topspin
Topspin
In ball sports, topspin is a property of a ball that rotates as if rolling in the same direction as it is moving. Topspin on a shot imparts a downward force that causes the ball to drop, due to its interaction with the air . It can be generated by hitting the ball with an up-and-forward swing, with...
escape Alpha Trion Scattorshot offers to have the Technobots hunt them down, but Alpha Trion instead assigns them to help relocate his base. The four rogue robots are eventually uncovered by Computron. Although Computron chases the quartet, they escape to the Decepticons headquarters, and Computron faces off against Abominus.