Transformers technology
Encyclopedia
The Transformers have several technology beyond the ability to transform between two or three forms, the Transformers series have introduced additional forms of technology.
The term "Combiner" (sometimes called "Gestalt") refers to a sub-group of Transformers able to combine their bodies and minds into a singular, larger, more powerful super-robot (the process is referred to in Computron's Marvel tech spec as "combinatics"). The term "Combiner" comes from the sub-group's ability to "combine" into a larger robot.
Combiner technology has its downsides as well, the primary one being that the combined robot can only do what all of its components agree upon. For beings such as Devastator, that is typically wanton destruction and nothing else. There is a flipside to this: Computron's main problem is that every problem must be worked out to every conceivable solution; even with Computron's enhanced computers, this is a time-consuming task, which for example led to his quick defeat by Abominus (another Decepticon Combiner) around the time of the Hate Plague.
(The term "gestalt" was adopted by fans as the catch-all name for combining Transformers. Although not officially employed on any merchandise by Hasbro, it appears that the term is recognized by them for its use in the fandom.)
(It may also be noted that the US Marvel Generation 2 comic {issue #9} uses the term "fusilateral-quintrocombiners" for 5-member teams such as the Combaticons {and presumably other "Scramble City" style combiners}.)
The film series introduced a new version of combiner technology.
, and Astrotrain
. Long a source of confusion, such technology first received a full-scale explanation in the final issue of the Generation One version of Dreamwave Productions
' More Than Meets The Eye series, which focused on many different aspects of Transformers technology and other information. In IDW Publishing
's Transformers: Escalation it is also mentioned that it takes considerable power to accomplish this feat. During Optimus Prime and Prowl's conversation, it is hinted at that the technology is old, but has not been in use for some time. Megatron and Soundwave are the first Transformers in this continuity to display mass displacement. Mass displacement was not utilized by any of the Autobots or Decepticons in the 2007 Transformers film, as the producers claimed that they considered it a form of "cheating". This claim is contradicted however, when the film depicts the Allspark displacing mass when it reduces itself from its Hoover Dam
filling size to one that Sam is capable of carrying around.
s or Nebulons to become components of Transformers using cybernetic exosuits in a process referred to as Binary Bonding (although not all Master processes involve bonding with humans). Still experimental, the results of this are unpredictable. Known Master technologies are:
In the extended Japanese continuity, the master process can use either humanoids or robots to form the binary bonding component. The original Headmasters, for example, were originally small Cybertronians, taken to the planet "Master" by Fortress
, where they began to experiment with how to transform. They created large, lifeless Transformer bodies named "Transtectors" to which they connected as heads, forming the basis for Master technology. After returning to Cybertron, Headmaster technology (called the Masterforce) was modified to allow humans to become Headmasters; the first six were a group of teenagers known as the "Headmaster Juniors".
While the Japanese concept for Headmasters featured only one mind in the process, Targetmasters did indeed consist of a bonding of two beings, as in America - in this case, a group of refugees from Master who were fused to the arms of several larger Transformers in a plasma energy explosion.
In Japan, Powermasters are known as Godmasters, and, like Headmasters, consist of a human being bonded to a Transtector. The Godmasters were created as part of a plan by the super-energy being, Devil Z, to create the ultimate super robot lifeform, and possess control over the energies of the Earth, the heavens and man.
with Thunderwing
and Bludgeon
as notable Decepticons. Dreamwave Productions
detailed the process and its transition from simple power-upgrading armor to a whole host of potential future applications in their More Than Meets The Eye series. In IDW Publishing
's rebooted comic
, Pretender technology had the benefit of turning a Transformer into a supremely powerful being (for example, Thunderwing destroyed much of Cybertron
) — but an improper grafting process could destroy the Transformer's mind.
. Dreamwave' More Than Meets The Eye series noted this as the logical progression for Pretenders technology, explaining that it had branched out to include specially designed suits for dealing with hazardous materials, etc. Similarly, in the IDW comic, Thunderwing had developed his Pretender technology, called "Bio-Cybernetic Grafting" as a way for Transformers to survive Cybertron's declining conditions. In Beast Wars
, The Maximals and Predacons on earth adopted organic shells and animal forms because of the high amounts of natural energon on the planet. Similarly, in The Transformers: Spotlight, The Dinobots
assumed dinosaur forms with organic shells to protect themselves from energon radiation.
(with their existence and techno-organic nature being an important plot element). Their outward appearance often varies from slightly robotic, completely organic, or a combination of the two.
In Transformers: Animated
, transformers with organic halves are rare due to limited cybertronian interaction with organic life (planets with organic life are considered mostly off limits by the Autobots). Due to this unfamiliarity with organic life many Transformers have difficulty relating to it and some (like Sentinel Prime
) have developed a phobia
of organics, with others seeing it is seen as a form of contamination. As a result, techno-organic transformers are likely to be viewed by other "pure" transformers with contempt (being regarded as freaks/abomination). These Transformers have their original abilities augmented by the genetic makeup of the organic they can transform into.
In this series, the Decepticon Blackarachnia is techno-organic reformat of Elita-1 (a female Autobot Elite Guard trainee), after she tried to "download" the abilities of an "organic species of alien spider" to neutralize the venom injected into her. But the attempt unintentually transformed into a techno-organic hybrid (and is considered by both herself and others a freak). Though she repeatedly tries to purge herself of her organic-half, she has failed every time (and it appears she is likely to remain as such). Her recent attempt involved duplicating the process using a transwarp generator, using it on Wasp and resulting in his reformating in Waspinator
.
Another character in the series, a girl named Sari Sumdac
, was originally a cybertronian protoform, that mysteriously appeared in the lab of human inventor, Professor Isaac Sumdac. While investigating the mysterious "liquid metal being
", he accidentally touched the protoform (which rendered him briefly unconscious), unintentually infusing the young protoform with his DNA, resulting in the birth of a redheaded techno-organic female clone of Sumdac (a "techno-organic human/transformer hybrid" in the form of a human girl). Professor Sumdac decides to unofficially adopt her as his daughter, Sari (Prof. Sumdac decided to keep the truth of her origins a secret from her, due in part to him being unaware of what had actually occurred). Unlike Blackarachnia and Waspinator, Sari was not actually a Transformer to begin with was and started off more organic at first, both in biology (possessing normal human biological functions) and in outward appearance.
Her techno-organic nature (except for a few hints) is not fully revealed until the very end of the 2nd season, when her elbow is injured, tearing the skin and revealing a robotic joint underneath. After the truth is revealed, Sari's techno-organic nature becomes more apparent, being able to transform into a slightly robotic version of herself. Her techno-organic nature is further enhanced when she uses her "All-Spark enhanced Key" to reformat herself into a teenaged form, with her new body functioning like a "techno-organic powersuit" (equipped which energy-based roller blades and weapons).
, an incandescent sphere of light that is, in essence, both the heart and soul of the Transformer. From a scientific point of view it is said (By Rattrap
in Beast Machines) to be composed of or at least containing positron
s. Following the construction of the Transformer body, Sparks can be implanted in a variety of ways, depending on the continuity.
Other methods of creation include:
and Ironhide
are old warhorses. In Kup's case, he physically appears older through simple wear to his body over time. However, at the opposite end of the specutrum, there is the most ancient Autobot, Alpha Trion
, who has appeared in three distinct stages of life, (one million years old, three million years old, and twelve million years old), with a suitably different physical construction each time (including the growth of facial "hair"). In the comics an aged and mentally ravaged Rodimus Prime discusses "Aspects of Evil" with a soon to become turncoat autobot.
Although aging takes its toll on performance and appearance, there are no known incidences of transformers dying from "old age". Presumably, with regular maintenance and Energon, a Transformer could live forever.
in humans. Stasis lock is known to be able to maintain the spark of a transformer for millions of years if necessary. Once in stasis lock, outside intervention is required to reactivate the transformer.
In the event of critical damage, outside life support mechanisms can support the body of a Transformer while the spark is transplanted. This is a rare occurrence as usually the spark is terminated quickly after the damage is inflicted. A notable occurrence of this happening is Optimus Primal
taking the Autobot Matrix of Leadership
, and Optimus Prime's spark, during the Beast Wars on prehistoric Earth while Teletraan I
and other Maximals were repairing the incredible damage to his body.
. The process takes time, but is not as lengthy as manual repair. A CR chamber (Critical recovery chamber) is used when a Transformer's internal repair processes cannot repair damage taken in a battle. It restores the bot to perfect physical condition. Problems with programming and data, such as viruses and core conscience damage, cannot be remedied and must be resolved manually. Similar technologies include the R bath and earlier R chamber, the "R" standing for "restoration". CR chamber is usually used to refer to any of the three. The R bath is used by the Predacons, and is literally a healing bath. The R bath may have protective qualities, as it prevented Waspinator from becoming a Transmetal
during a quantum surge after he fell into one. It is unknown if these qualities are shared by the R/CR chamber (although it protected Rhinox in the same way).
(during the movie), and Waspinator
(repeatedly).
Transformers who die from stasis lock usually turn a neutral gray, as the color leaves their living metal bodies. For example, Optimus Prime, various Insecticon
s and Seekers
, Blaster
, Soundwave
, and Starscream
(debatable, as his body was incinerated) have all turned gray upon death. Ultra Magnus did not turn gray, however, this may be because his actual body was encased in armor at the time. There is debate on whether the armor was constructed of living metal or not. Also, in The Transformers: Stormbringer
, Iguanus
' body turned a uniform purple upon his death.
In the "Transformers: Animated
" series debut (2007–2009), Optimus Prime was killed by an energy shockwave from the Allspark which was meant to drive Starscream
away after they had fought each other. However, Sari Sumdac's new AllSpark-upgraded key card instantly restored Optimus to life. When Optimus died, his body also turned gray, though he was not in stasis lock at the time; when he was restored, he changed back to his normal coloring.
On rare occasions, a destroyed Transformer can be brought back to life using the proper knowledge. Quintessons have been known to do this. The Transformer creator Primus
can also accomplish resurrections, but it is beyond the scope of modern Transformers technology. The method of a spark returning to the body has yet to be pinpointed, however it is believed an outside force, seen or unseen, may guide the spark back to the body, perhaps utilizing Zone Energy. Incidents of this occurring include the Quintesson revival of Optimus Prime and Rhinox's recovery of Optimus Primal after a transwarp explosion in space destroyed Primal's original body (and created a transwarp rift through which an ion trail could be created. If this feat is impossible with normal transformer technology, then the alien energy released by the detonation of the "Vox" device must be seen as responsible for access to "the other side of the Matrix" as well as producing part alien transmetal forms.)
Starscream was also given a new physical body after death by Unicron
. However, unlike normal sparks that disappear from this world, Starscream's spark was able to continue existing in the physical world as a ghost and had the power to possess and control over Transformers, such as Cyclonus and Scourge. In Beast Wars it is stated that Starscream's spark could also travel through time as well as space, explaining his possession of Waspinator, and is believed by Transformer scientists to be a rare mutant spark that is indestructible/immortal and therefore not subject to the normal laws governing death.
In Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Megatron is also resurrected from the bottom of the ocean (where he was left in the first movie) to find The Fallen.
(with the auction site eBay
being cited throughout the film as the primary source of information regarding the eyeglasses of Sam's great-grandfather, Captain Archibald Witwicky), hinting that the Transformers, being highly evolved sentient electronically composed beings, possess the capability to both interface with communications networks and protocols and glean information from Internet-accessible documents, files and applications. However, the capability of the Transformers to learn both written and spoken languages through the World Wide Web and translate between the Cybertronian language and Earth-human languages was not fully explained in the film.
Combiner Technology
Combiner technology has its downsides as well, the primary one being that the combined robot can only do what all of its components agree upon. For beings such as Devastator, that is typically wanton destruction and nothing else. There is a flipside to this: Computron's main problem is that every problem must be worked out to every conceivable solution; even with Computron's enhanced computers, this is a time-consuming task, which for example led to his quick defeat by Abominus (another Decepticon Combiner) around the time of the Hate Plague.
(The term "gestalt" was adopted by fans as the catch-all name for combining Transformers. Although not officially employed on any merchandise by Hasbro, it appears that the term is recognized by them for its use in the fandom.)
(It may also be noted that the US Marvel Generation 2 comic {issue #9} uses the term "fusilateral-quintrocombiners" for 5-member teams such as the Combaticons {and presumably other "Scramble City" style combiners}.)
The film series introduced a new version of combiner technology.
Generation 1
- ComputronComputronComputron is computer hacker jargon, often humorously referred to as a unit of computing power, typically an unspecified informal composite of processing power, RAM, and disk drive space...
(TechnobotsTechnobotsThe Technobots are a subgroup of five Autobots that transform into futuristic vehicles in the Transformers universe. Their counterparts are the Terrorcons.-Transformers: Generation 1:The five Technobots combine into Computron....
) - Defensor (ProtectobotsProtectobotsThe 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...
) - Guard City
- Landcross (MultiforceMultiforce-Transformers: Generation 1:It is composed of:* Dash - Sun Power* Mach - Space Assault - Moon Power* Tacker - Fire Power* Tackle - Situation Analyst - Earth Power* Waver - Water Power...
) - Raiden (Trainbots)
- Road Caesar (Brainmasters)
- Slamdance
- SuperionSuperion-Transformers: Generation 1:Superion is the first Autobot special team to be created, and is the Autobots' first combiner, formed from five smaller robots who are able to transform into fighter-jets and planes.Members:* Silverbolt - Team leader.* Air Raid...
(AerialbotsAerialbotsThe 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...
)
Robots in Disguise
- Rail Racer/JRX
- LandfillLandfill (Transformers)-Transformers: Generation 1:Landfill is the name of an Autobot Double Targetmaster who turns into a dump truck.Landfill was part of the three Double Targetmaster Autobots alongside Scoop and Quickmix, each with their vehicle modes based on a construction vehicle. As his name suggests, Landfill...
- Omega PrimeOmega PrimeOmega Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline. He is the combined form of Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:...
Armada/Energon/Cybertron
- Perceptor
- Jet Optimus (Optimus Prime + Jetfire (+ Overload))
- Optimus Supreme (Optimus Prime + Omega Supreme)
- Superion Maximus (AerialbotsAerialbotsThe 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...
) - Optimus Savage Claw Mode (Optimus Prime + Leobreaker)
- Optimus Sonic Wing Mode (Optimus Prime + Wing Saber)
Generation 1
- Abominus (Terrorcons)
- Battle Gaia
- Bruticus (CombaticonsCombaticonsThe Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
) - DevastatorDevastator (Transformers)Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
(ConstructiconsConstructiconsright|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
) - Dinoking (DinoforceDinoforceThe Dinoforce, also known as kyoryu sentai in Japan, was a group of Decepticon Pretenders under the command of Deszaras. Unique to the Dinoforce is their Pretender shells sentience; when the members of the Dinoforce are not merged with their Pretender shells, the shells can think and act on their...
) - Liokaiser (Beastforce)
- Menasor (Stunticons)
- Monstructor (Monster PretendersMonster PretendersThe Monster Pretenders are a group of fictional Decepticons in the Transformers franchise. The team is the last of the traditional combiners from the Generation 1 series and is one of the few non-Micromaster combiner teams to have six members .-Transformers: Generation...
) - Piranacon (SeaconsSeaconsThis article is about the Transformers characters the Seacons. For the shopping mall, see Seacon Square. For the 1961 Worldcon in Seattle, Washington, Seacon, see 19th World Science Fiction Convention...
) - Predaking (Predacons)
- Squawkbox
Robots in Disguise
- RuinationRuinationRuination is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:Ruination is the combined form of the Decepticon Commandos.-Animated series:...
(Commandos) — Repaints of the G1 and G2 CombaticonsCombaticonsThe Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
, they are actually retooled from the G2 versions. As 5 of only 6 Decepticons/Destrons in the RiDTransformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
cartoon series, they are alternatively referred to as the Decepticon Commandos. In JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's Transformers: CarRobots, the Commandos are referred to by the same name as their G1 counterparts, the "CombatronsCombaticonsThe Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
".
Armada/Energon/Cybertron
- Constructicon Maximus (ConstructiconsConstructiconsright|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
) - Bruticus Maximus (CombaticonsCombaticonsThe Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
) - Megatron Dark Claw Mode (Megatron + Nemesis Breaker)
Film series
- Reedman (Microcons)
- DevastatorDevastator (Transformers)Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
(Constructicons)
Mass displacement
In the American animated series, and various comic incarnations, many Transformers have the ability to change size during transformation, a glowing outline occasionally appearing around their bodies as they do so. Notable examples include Megatron, SoundwaveSoundwave
Sound waves are audible acoustic waves that carry sound.Soundwave may also refer to:*Soundwave , an annual music festival held in Australia...
, and Astrotrain
Astrotrain
Astrotrain is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons who can assume the form of a space shuttle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. Long a source of confusion, such technology first received a full-scale explanation in the final issue of the Generation One version of Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
' More Than Meets The Eye series, which focused on many different aspects of Transformers technology and other information. In IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
's Transformers: Escalation it is also mentioned that it takes considerable power to accomplish this feat. During Optimus Prime and Prowl's conversation, it is hinted at that the technology is old, but has not been in use for some time. Megatron and Soundwave are the first Transformers in this continuity to display mass displacement. Mass displacement was not utilized by any of the Autobots or Decepticons in the 2007 Transformers film, as the producers claimed that they considered it a form of "cheating". This claim is contradicted however, when the film depicts the Allspark displacing mass when it reduces itself from its Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President...
filling size to one that Sam is capable of carrying around.
Master Process
In the American comic and cartoon, the Master process was acquired from Nebulos. It allows humanHuman
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s or Nebulons to become components of Transformers using cybernetic exosuits in a process referred to as Binary Bonding (although not all Master processes involve bonding with humans). Still experimental, the results of this are unpredictable. Known Master technologies are:
- HeadmasterHeadmaster (Transformers)Headmasters are a sub-group of characters from the Transformers meta-series, distinguished by their ability to detach their heads when transforming into their alternate modes, with the heads then transforming themselves into a humanoid form...
: A humanoid becomes the head module of the robot-form Transformer, and the pilot of the vehicle mode. - TargetmasterTargetmasterTargetmaster is a subline of the Transformers toyline that include Nebulan sidekicks who can transform into the Transformers' weapons.-1987 Targetmasters:...
: A humanoid transforms into a highly accurate intelligent weapon for use by the Transformer. Prototypical Targetmaster technology was being researched on CybertronCybertronCybertron 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...
in the distant past. - Powermaster: An enhanced humanoid provides biologic energy and abilities to a Transformer; such as the ability to withstand hostile environments to which the biological life form is well suited.
- MicromasterMicromastersMicromasters is a Transformers subline composed of small figures that came packaged in groups and with bases that interacted with the figures. They were sold at the peak of Galoob's Micro Machines craze and were packaged in groups of four just like Micro Machines...
: Transformers who are smaller than normal size Transformers (more to the scale of later "Beast WarsBeast WarsTransformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
" era Transformers) with lesser energy requirements. Usually looked at by the larger Transformers as cannon fodder. These Transformers were created because of Energon shortages on Cybertron. - Action MasterAction MastersAction Masters are a sub-line of the Transformers toy franchise, first released in 1990, with a wave of new releases released in Europe in 1991. It featured Transformers action figures who were unable to transform, but came with transforming partners, weapons or exo-suits. Some of the larger sets...
: Transformers who have undergone this process have lost the ability to transform; Instead, they have bodies completely engineered to peak performance in robot mode.
In the extended Japanese continuity, the master process can use either humanoids or robots to form the binary bonding component. The original Headmasters, for example, were originally small Cybertronians, taken to the planet "Master" by Fortress
Fortress 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...
, where they began to experiment with how to transform. They created large, lifeless Transformer bodies named "Transtectors" to which they connected as heads, forming the basis for Master technology. After returning to Cybertron, Headmaster technology (called the Masterforce) was modified to allow humans to become Headmasters; the first six were a group of teenagers known as the "Headmaster Juniors".
While the Japanese concept for Headmasters featured only one mind in the process, Targetmasters did indeed consist of a bonding of two beings, as in America - in this case, a group of refugees from Master who were fused to the arms of several larger Transformers in a plasma energy explosion.
In Japan, Powermasters are known as Godmasters, and, like Headmasters, consist of a human being bonded to a Transtector. The Godmasters were created as part of a plan by the super-energy being, Devil Z, to create the ultimate super robot lifeform, and possess control over the energies of the Earth, the heavens and man.
Organic technology
Although made from a living metal, various Cybertronians have found sufficient cause or reason to incorporate purely organic material into their forms.Pretenders
Pretenders, introduced in 1988, followed the concept of Transformers using organic shells as an extra disguise or as armor for defense. The concept was first seen in Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
with 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...
and 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:...
as notable Decepticons. Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
detailed the process and its transition from simple power-upgrading armor to a whole host of potential future applications in their More Than Meets The Eye series. In IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
's rebooted comic
The Transformers (IDW Publishing)
The Transformers is a comic book series by IDW Publishing, based upon Hasbro's Transformers characters and toy line.Following Dreamwave Productions' bankruptcy in 2005, IDW picked up the rights and hired long-time Transformers writer Simon Furman to craft a rebooted Generation 1-based continuity,...
, Pretender technology had the benefit of turning a Transformer into a supremely powerful being (for example, Thunderwing destroyed much of 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...
) — but an improper grafting process could destroy the Transformer's mind.
Environmental adaptation
In many series, it is shown that an organic shell could protect a Transformer's body from intense environmental conditions such as energon radiationRadiation
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing...
. Dreamwave' More Than Meets The Eye series noted this as the logical progression for Pretenders technology, explaining that it had branched out to include specially designed suits for dealing with hazardous materials, etc. Similarly, in the IDW comic, Thunderwing had developed his Pretender technology, called "Bio-Cybernetic Grafting" as a way for Transformers to survive Cybertron's declining conditions. In Beast Wars
Beast Wars
Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
, The Maximals and Predacons on earth adopted organic shells and animal forms because of the high amounts of natural energon on the planet. Similarly, in The Transformers: Spotlight, The Dinobots
Dinobots
Dinobots is the name of several teams of characters in the fictional Transformers Universe. The groups are made up of several robots, each of whose transformed mode is that of a dinosaur or similar prehistoric animal. They are called Dinotrons in the Japanese version; and ' in the Japanese dub of...
assumed dinosaur forms with organic shells to protect themselves from energon radiation.
Techno-Organic Hybridization
Techno-Organic Hybrids are transformers who possess or have obtained organic halves (having been infused with an organic being's DNA) and can be considered a fusion of both technological & organic lifeforms. Transformers of this type are featured prominently in the Beast Wars era and even more so in Beast MachinesBeast Machines
Beast Machines is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Hasbro has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel to Beast Wars taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series...
(with their existence and techno-organic nature being an important plot element). Their outward appearance often varies from slightly robotic, completely organic, or a combination of the two.
In Transformers: Animated
Transformers: Animated
Transformers Animated is an American animated television series based on the Transformers toy line. The series debuted on Cartoon Network on December 26, 2007 and has been shown on NickToons in the UK since February 2008. It is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and animated by Japanese animation...
, transformers with organic halves are rare due to limited cybertronian interaction with organic life (planets with organic life are considered mostly off limits by the Autobots). Due to this unfamiliarity with organic life many Transformers have difficulty relating to it and some (like Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. First mention of Sentinel Prime was in issue #65 of the US Marvel Comics Transformers series, where he was mentioned to hold the Autobot Matrix of Leadership before Optimus Prime. Sentinel Prime has since...
) have developed a phobia
Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational...
of organics, with others seeing it is seen as a form of contamination. As a result, techno-organic transformers are likely to be viewed by other "pure" transformers with contempt (being regarded as freaks/abomination). These Transformers have their original abilities augmented by the genetic makeup of the organic they can transform into.
In this series, the Decepticon Blackarachnia is techno-organic reformat of Elita-1 (a female Autobot Elite Guard trainee), after she tried to "download" the abilities of an "organic species of alien spider" to neutralize the venom injected into her. But the attempt unintentually transformed into a techno-organic hybrid (and is considered by both herself and others a freak). Though she repeatedly tries to purge herself of her organic-half, she has failed every time (and it appears she is likely to remain as such). Her recent attempt involved duplicating the process using a transwarp generator, using it on Wasp and resulting in his reformating in Waspinator
Waspinator
Waspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...
.
Sari Sumdac
Sari Sumdac is a fictional character in the Transformers Animated cartoon series.-Transformers Animated:The eight-year old adopted daughter of Dr. Isaac Sumdac, Sari lived a sheltered life until she befriends the Autobots after they saved her upon their reawakening.She is the primary source of...
, was originally a cybertronian protoform, that mysteriously appeared in the lab of human inventor, Professor Isaac Sumdac. While investigating the mysterious "liquid metal being
Protoform
In the fictional world of the Transformers, protoforms are "basic frames" of a Cybertronian placed in stasis until a suitable form can be found.-"Beast Wars: Transformers" :...
", he accidentally touched the protoform (which rendered him briefly unconscious), unintentually infusing the young protoform with his DNA, resulting in the birth of a redheaded techno-organic female clone of Sumdac (a "techno-organic human/transformer hybrid" in the form of a human girl). Professor Sumdac decides to unofficially adopt her as his daughter, Sari (Prof. Sumdac decided to keep the truth of her origins a secret from her, due in part to him being unaware of what had actually occurred). Unlike Blackarachnia and Waspinator, Sari was not actually a Transformer to begin with was and started off more organic at first, both in biology (possessing normal human biological functions) and in outward appearance.
Her techno-organic nature (except for a few hints) is not fully revealed until the very end of the 2nd season, when her elbow is injured, tearing the skin and revealing a robotic joint underneath. After the truth is revealed, Sari's techno-organic nature becomes more apparent, being able to transform into a slightly robotic version of herself. Her techno-organic nature is further enhanced when she uses her "All-Spark enhanced Key" to reformat herself into a teenaged form, with her new body functioning like a "techno-organic powersuit" (equipped which energy-based roller blades and weapons).
Birth of a Transformer
The life essence of a Transformer is called a SparkSpark (Transformers)
Spark can refer to several objects in the fictional Transformers universe. A spark is usually the "soul" of a Transformer. It is also the name of several Transformers characters. An AllSpark is a term for two different objects within the Transformers media franchise. In the Beast Machines...
, an incandescent sphere of light that is, in essence, both the heart and soul of the Transformer. From a scientific point of view it is said (By Rattrap
Rattrap
Rattrap is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers toyline that appeared in the Beast Wars and Beast Machines series. He is a Maximal and takes the beast form of a rat.-Beast Wars:...
in Beast Machines) to be composed of or at least containing positron
Positron
The positron or antielectron is the antiparticle or the antimatter counterpart of the electron. The positron has an electric charge of +1e, a spin of ½, and has the same mass as an electron...
s. Following the construction of the Transformer body, Sparks can be implanted in a variety of ways, depending on the continuity.
- In the comic continuity, all Transformer life comes from PrimusPrimus (Transformers)Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity in the fictional Transformers comic universe who fought against the Chaos-Bringer Unicron. The Lord of the Light, Primus is the being who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron.-Primus and Unicron:...
, and as Sparks are a newer concept, it has been retroactively established via convention comics and other writings that Sparks are a fragment of Primus. Primus can either bestow this upon creation - as he did with the original Transformers he created - or it can be done using the MatrixAutobot Matrix of LeadershipThe Matrix of Leadership or Creation Matrix in the fictional Transformers universes is the Autobot talisman of legend, passed down from leader to leader. It consisted of an oval-shaped container, holding a glowing crystal. To open the Matrix is to release an unpredictable wave of power from the...
. - In the cartoon continuity (where the life essence of a Transformer was twice referred to as a "laser core"), the only way to bestow full life was via the supercomputer, Vector SigmaVector SigmaIn the fictional universe of the first Transformers animated series, Vector Sigma is the "mega-computer" that gives sentience to non-sentient robots, and is used by the Quintessons to endow their robotic creations with the true life that eventually leads to their rebellion...
, as was the case with the Stunticons and the AerialbotsAerialbotsThe 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...
. Most other attempts at creating life without using Vector Sigma to bestow them with real minds and souls have resulted in dull-witted, unstable creatures of low intelligence, prone to rage (the DinobotsDinobotsDinobots is the name of several teams of characters in the fictional Transformers Universe. The groups are made up of several robots, each of whose transformed mode is that of a dinosaur or similar prehistoric animal. They are called Dinotrons in the Japanese version; and ' in the Japanese dub of...
, TrypticonTrypticonTrypticon is a fictional character in the Transformers toyline.-Transformers: Generation 1:Trypticon is the Decepticons' principal command base. He has three modes: a city, a mobile battle station, and a Tyrannosaurus rex. In each mode, he has a variety of weapons...
). The only Transformers with normal intelligence without being created by Vector Sigma were the CombaticonsCombaticonsThe Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
, of whom Starscream brought in their personality components from the Decepticon penitentiary on Cybertron, and the TechnobotsTechnobotsThe Technobots are a subgroup of five Autobots that transform into futuristic vehicles in the Transformers universe. Their counterparts are the Terrorcons.-Transformers: Generation 1:The five Technobots combine into Computron....
. The Technobots were created by the super intelligent GrimlockGrimlockGrimlock 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...
in the episode "Grimlock's New Brain". Grimlock used components within UnicronUnicronUnicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
's head to build the Technobots. It's possible that components from Unicron allowed the Technobots to have normal intelligence. - In the Beast WarsBeast WarsTransformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
and Beast MachinesBeast MachinesBeast Machines is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Hasbro has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel to Beast Wars taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series...
continuities, the nature of Transformer life and death is expanded on with the revelation of the existence of the Allspark (also called the Matrix). It is the source of all Sparks that exist, have existed, or ever will exist, sending them out into the world to live, so that when they die, they will return to the Allspark and share their experiences, thereby increasing the collective wisdom and knowledge of the Allspark. This concept is similar to the BrahmaBrahmaBrahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
oversoul of HinduHinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
ism. Vector Sigma is revealed to have access to the Allspark, explaining how it could program robots with life (by implanting a Spark in them through its access to the Allspark), and retroactively, it can easily be assumed that the Matrix object was a gate to the Allspark as well. As Beast Wars and Beast Machines are officially set in neither the comic nor cartoon universe, but a universe that takes aspects from both, this is also another explanation for how the Matrix object could bestow life (by transferring a Spark through its connection to the Allspark) in the comic continuity. - Circa Beast Wars, Transformer life seems to be entirely generated at facilities nicknamed "The Matrix" and "The Pit", Maximal and Predacon facilities respectively which produce Protoforms - raw, undeveloped Transformers. Upon the creation of each Protoform, the Allspark bestows upon this life-to-be a Spark.
Other methods of creation include:
- Cloning: A new technology recently developed allows for the cloning of one transformer into another; identical at the time of cloning, differences start to appear immediately.
- Experiments in creating immortal life have ended with horrible consequences: Protoform XRampage (Transformers)Rampage is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Rampage is a fictional character of the Transformers Predacons, with his alternative form being a mechanical tiger....
. Protoform X was enslaved by the Beast Wars Megatron and renamed Rampage, and was eventually destroyed by having raw energon forced through his spark. - Transplantation: In a few circumstances, the transplant of a "living spark" for life support, power enhancement, or just to change bodies has occurred. For instance, in Beast WarsBeast WarsTransformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
, Optimus Primal removed the Spark from G1 Optimus Prime and placed it inside his own body to sustain Prime's life after his body was critically damaged. The presence of Prime's spark was too much for his body to handle, and the power reformatted his body into a stronger form. Later, MegatronMegatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
would deliberately do the same with his predecessor's spark to add to his power. In the Dreamwave comic line, Ratbat was moved from a large, average-sized transformer body into that of a Cassette, where he became a minion of SoundwaveSoundwave (Transformers)Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
Transformer aging
In a few unusual cases, Transformers have displayed the ability to physically age. Most Transformers' ages are clear from their personalities, defined by their life experiences - for example, Hot Rod is the equivalent of a teenager or young adult, while KupKup
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 Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
are old warhorses. In Kup's case, he physically appears older through simple wear to his body over time. However, at the opposite end of the specutrum, there is the most ancient Autobot, 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...
, who has appeared in three distinct stages of life, (one million years old, three million years old, and twelve million years old), with a suitably different physical construction each time (including the growth of facial "hair"). In the comics an aged and mentally ravaged Rodimus Prime discusses "Aspects of Evil" with a soon to become turncoat autobot.
Although aging takes its toll on performance and appearance, there are no known incidences of transformers dying from "old age". Presumably, with regular maintenance and Energon, a Transformer could live forever.
Stasis lock
Stasis lock is an operational state meant to protect the spark of a transformer following severe trauma; it is similar to a comaComa
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
in humans. Stasis lock is known to be able to maintain the spark of a transformer for millions of years if necessary. Once in stasis lock, outside intervention is required to reactivate the transformer.
In the event of critical damage, outside life support mechanisms can support the body of a Transformer while the spark is transplanted. This is a rare occurrence as usually the spark is terminated quickly after the damage is inflicted. A notable occurrence of this happening is Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
taking the Autobot Matrix of Leadership
Autobot Matrix of Leadership
The Matrix of Leadership or Creation Matrix in the fictional Transformers universes is the Autobot talisman of legend, passed down from leader to leader. It consisted of an oval-shaped container, holding a glowing crystal. To open the Matrix is to release an unpredictable wave of power from the...
, and Optimus Prime's spark, during the Beast Wars on prehistoric Earth while Teletraan I
Teletraan I
Teletraan I is the name of several fictional characters in several Transformers universes. Teletraan I is usually the Autobots' computer on board their spaceship called the Ark.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and other Maximals were repairing the incredible damage to his body.
CR chamber
A CR Chamber can reverse serious damage to transformers. It was introduced during Beast WarsBeast Wars
Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
. The process takes time, but is not as lengthy as manual repair. A CR chamber (Critical recovery chamber) is used when a Transformer's internal repair processes cannot repair damage taken in a battle. It restores the bot to perfect physical condition. Problems with programming and data, such as viruses and core conscience damage, cannot be remedied and must be resolved manually. Similar technologies include the R bath and earlier R chamber, the "R" standing for "restoration". CR chamber is usually used to refer to any of the three. The R bath is used by the Predacons, and is literally a healing bath. The R bath may have protective qualities, as it prevented Waspinator from becoming a Transmetal
Transmetal
Transmetal may refer to:* Transition metals, a group of elements in the periodic table* Transmetal , a Mexican thrash/death metal band* Transmetals, a type of Transformer technology in the fictional Transformers universe...
during a quantum surge after he fell into one. It is unknown if these qualities are shared by the R/CR chamber (although it protected Rhinox in the same way).
Death
Death of a Transformer can follow irreversible (mortal) stasis lock or be caused by a sudden traumatic injury (such as a close-proximity nuclear explosion, or spark excision). A few weapons, such as a high powered fusion cannon, are known to be powerful enough to cause severe enough damage to immediately terminate a Transformer. Also, while the utter destruction of a body can and usually does cause death, a Transformer can often survive total dismemberment. Notable examples include Optimus Prime (during the Generation 1 series), Ultra MagnusUltra Magnus
Ultra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
(during the movie), and Waspinator
Waspinator
Waspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...
(repeatedly).
Transformers who die from stasis lock usually turn a neutral gray, as the color leaves their living metal bodies. For example, Optimus Prime, various Insecticon
Insecticon
Insecticons is the name given to a sub-group of fictional characters in the Transformers Universes, referred to as Insectrons in the Japanese version. The name was also used for several fictional characters in the Transformers Universes...
s and Seekers
Seekers (Transformers)
Seekers is a term in the Transformers universe usually used to describe certain Decepticon warriors with jet transformations. For the character named Seeker see Seeker .-Origin of the term:...
, 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...
, Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, and 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...
(debatable, as his body was incinerated) have all turned gray upon death. Ultra Magnus did not turn gray, however, this may be because his actual body was encased in armor at the time. There is debate on whether the armor was constructed of living metal or not. Also, in 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...
, Iguanus
Iguanus
Iguanus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers series.-Transformers: Generation 1:Iguanus is a loathsome Decepticon who is in love with his Pretender shell so much he rarely takes it off.-Reception:...
' body turned a uniform purple upon his death.
In the "Transformers: Animated
Transformers: Animated
Transformers Animated is an American animated television series based on the Transformers toy line. The series debuted on Cartoon Network on December 26, 2007 and has been shown on NickToons in the UK since February 2008. It is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and animated by Japanese animation...
" series debut (2007–2009), Optimus Prime was killed by an energy shockwave from the Allspark which was meant to drive 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...
away after they had fought each other. However, Sari Sumdac's new AllSpark-upgraded key card instantly restored Optimus to life. When Optimus died, his body also turned gray, though he was not in stasis lock at the time; when he was restored, he changed back to his normal coloring.
Beyond death
It is known that some or all of a Transformer's essence moves to a separate spatial realm accessible by the Matrix or into the Matrix itself upon spark termination.On rare occasions, a destroyed Transformer can be brought back to life using the proper knowledge. Quintessons have been known to do this. The Transformer creator Primus
Primus (Transformers)
Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity in the fictional Transformers comic universe who fought against the Chaos-Bringer Unicron. The Lord of the Light, Primus is the being who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron.-Primus and Unicron:...
can also accomplish resurrections, but it is beyond the scope of modern Transformers technology. The method of a spark returning to the body has yet to be pinpointed, however it is believed an outside force, seen or unseen, may guide the spark back to the body, perhaps utilizing Zone Energy. Incidents of this occurring include the Quintesson revival of Optimus Prime and Rhinox's recovery of Optimus Primal after a transwarp explosion in space destroyed Primal's original body (and created a transwarp rift through which an ion trail could be created. If this feat is impossible with normal transformer technology, then the alien energy released by the detonation of the "Vox" device must be seen as responsible for access to "the other side of the Matrix" as well as producing part alien transmetal forms.)
Starscream was also given a new physical body after death by Unicron
Unicron
Unicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
. However, unlike normal sparks that disappear from this world, Starscream's spark was able to continue existing in the physical world as a ghost and had the power to possess and control over Transformers, such as Cyclonus and Scourge. In Beast Wars it is stated that Starscream's spark could also travel through time as well as space, explaining his possession of Waspinator, and is believed by Transformer scientists to be a rare mutant spark that is indestructible/immortal and therefore not subject to the normal laws governing death.
In Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Megatron is also resurrected from the bottom of the ocean (where he was left in the first movie) to find The Fallen.
Communication
In the 2007 Michael Bay-directed live-action film, Optimus Prime revealed to Sam Witwicky that the surviving Cybertronians managed to learn Earth's languages through the World Wide WebWorld Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
(with the auction site eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
being cited throughout the film as the primary source of information regarding the eyeglasses of Sam's great-grandfather, Captain Archibald Witwicky), hinting that the Transformers, being highly evolved sentient electronically composed beings, possess the capability to both interface with communications networks and protocols and glean information from Internet-accessible documents, files and applications. However, the capability of the Transformers to learn both written and spoken languages through the World Wide Web and translate between the Cybertronian language and Earth-human languages was not fully explained in the film.