This is something I've been thinking about on and off for years. As living beings, or even as similar complex machines, all Transformers share a certain level of anatomical similarity despite sometimes vastly different sizes, functions, and forms. We know some elements of their anatomy from various forms of media, but has there ever been a full-on anatomical atlas of a Transformer? Can we attempt to create one? It'd be great if one of the more artistically-inclined members were to do some sketches on a generic TF design, just for reference purposes. I'll try to list some things from memory and then reserve the second post for a definitive anatomical chart. I propose that we try to blend multiple sources as I am certain there is no single source which can provide us with enough information. TFWiki has some info, but it's scattered and in accordance with its mission statement, it's non speculative. We can start with the Spark Casing which hosts each Transformer's Spark, i.e. "soul." TFs are weird in that they have actual tangible souls, so in this case it's not a question of theology but actual biology. The Casing may or may not be the same as the Laser Core. These are actually probably the only parts of a Transformer that cannot be replaced and are the hardest to repair. In IDW, the Spark is also surrounded by Innermost Energon, a sort of last reserve of power that keeps the Spark alive even if all other resources are depleted. Regular Energon that circulates within a Transformer is more akin to a combination of blood and fuel. I think we should somehow distinguish this Energon from the one they use for nutrition, since they certainly can't be exactly the same? Another key component is the Brain Module which may or may not the same as the Personality Component. It houses memories and behavioral patterns and without it, a Transformer is alive but zombie-like (e.g. Brawl in B.O.T.). It can be rebuilt to be more sophisticated (e.g. Dinobots in G1 cartoon in general). I would posit that a Transformer with a Brain Module but without a Spark is always a Drone, like most Guardian Robots, or like Deceptitran. It's possible such a drone could develop/acquire a spark. Then we have the Transformation Cog, apparently a special piece of circuitry that enables the transformation in the first place. It's a replaceable but expensive part that can burn out from overuse. If it burns out, Transformer is stuck in one mode until it's replaced. This prolonged stasis can have detrimental effects. I think this should be enough to start the thread running without turning into a huge essay. Sources we should primarily look at (IMO): - G1 and BW episodes (Gears in particular uses a wide variety of insults connected to various bits of TF anatomy) - G1 bios - G1 Action Master power plans - G1 and IDW comics We can then supplant the missing stuff from other series and/or incorporate their anatomical quirks in the grand scheme of things.
Well acording to the rebirth saga the Brain module and personality components are housed within the head but when they become headmasters and Chromedome asks what happens to their memories and personalities when the head seperates Brainstorm explains that a transformers possesses a secondary computer in their chest that can store those components until the head is re-attache's to the core body.
I've always wondered what the "Cosmitron" from that one episode in G1 did. It's apparently some sort of vital organ, but it's never stated what it does.
What would they call the cavity that Autobots have which can house the matrix? Do all Bots have this space in their chest? Do Decepticons also have it or something similar?
I don't know, could be bayformers. A big part of the problem is that there's differences between every version, including how Transformers bodies come about. G1 has them construct bodies like you'd expect for machines, then either Vector Sigma or the Creation Matrix gives them life. The Aligned continuity has them emerge from the well of allsparks on Cybertron. IDW had the sparks emerge from hotspots, normally triggered by pulses from Vector Sigma, implanted into metal from Cybertron or a Titan, that grows into a form based on information from the spark. And Bayformers has hatchings. And don't even get me started on CNA. In some cases they come across less mechanical, and more like metal imitating organic systems. What we can say for sure is that there's three vital organs, the Spark, Brain Module, and Transformation Cog. Transformation Cog's aren't essential, but are definitly desirable for most Transformers. It is possible to remove a spark and transplant it, or place it back into the existing shell. Brain Modules are a bit trickier to figure out. I mean it seems pretty self explanitory, but we've seen memories and personalities carry over from just a spark. At the same time destroying a brain module is one of the two surest ways to kill a transformer along with destroying the spark. And sometimes they can survive all sorts of things, like huge holes in their torsos, decapitation, having their internal mechanisms shot up. And other times they die from getting shot in the shoulder. Transformer physiology is weird and inconsistent it seems.
When I was looking for some good pictures of There insides I found the picture on google. I did not look closely to everything on it. To be safe I have removed it incase some one has a hissy fit.
This one's a fanart. There's a person in this fandom really obsessed with this idea and he's commissioning this kind of stuff. I had the misfortune to stumble upon it once. Be careful with the Google is all what I can say...
