Sensor

Optical sensors: help them see you, and help you see which side they're on.

Sensors are essential components of mechanical beings, especially Transformers, serving a wide variety of functions and feeding a mechanoid information about the environment around it. Most Transformers are built with a set of standard senses - optic, audio, olfactory, tactile, short-range radio-wave transmission, electrical sensitivity and magnetic sensitivity are common in some universes - but many have specialized sensor packages that are unique or rare, giving them special abilities that make them stand out.

Sensor types

Audio sensors

Audio Sensors are a component of Transformer anatomy that allows them to hear sounds in their environment. Some are more acute than others, allowing recording of normally inaudible frequencies.

As part of a demonstration of the Dinobots, Blaster transformed into his alternate form allowing Grimlock to practice his fine tuned laser breath to start up Blaster's music. Ironhide told Blaster to stop the music as it was so loud that it was fusing his audio sensors. Dinobot Island, Part 1 Later, Blaster sent the Autobots the music from the rock concert that he, Spike Witwicky, and Carly were attending. Jazz was the only one who seemed to enjoy it, whereas Optimus and the others were nearly overcome in pain. Blaster Blues

Ultra Magnus noted he possesses enhanced audio sensors, presumably in regard to his fellow Transformers. It is not explained how they were enhanced. Burning Sky!

Back shoulder sensors

Megatron (in his G2 body) has "back shoulder senses" that allowed him to detect the approaching Starscream. It's unknown how common these sensors are amongst other Transformers. Day of the Decepticons

Equilibrium sensors

Equilibrium sensors help a Transformer keep their sense of balance. Isaac Sumdac used this weakness to damage Megatron, calling it his Achilles Heel. Megatron responded by trying to crush Sumdac under his heel. Megatron Rising - Part 2

Olfactory sensors

Olfactory sensors are a sensor unit used to detect the scents of others. It is very common in animal based Transformers. Ravage possessed one of the most powerful olfactory sensors. Transformers: The Ultimate Guide The Dinobot leader Grimlock possessed olfactory sensors which were powerful enough to smell Dinosaur transform static. Thief in the Night

After the Great Upgrade from Autobot to Maximal, olfactory sensors were included among sensor units. Silverbolt had impressive olfactory sensors. When Ravage entered the Axalon, he was able to smell Ravage, but was unable to pinpoint exactly where he was. The Agenda (Part 1)

While searching for Cheetor, Waspinator detected him, saying he caught the stink of an "unnatural"...present company excluded, of course. Later, Optimus Primal was able to smell Dinobot II coming. Feral Scream Part 2

Depth Charge had the unique ability to smell the spark of Rampage. He commented that the newly born Dinobot II "stank of Rampage". Feral Scream Part 1

Tarantulas had a distinctive odor about him. Dinobot said that it smelled like "vile corruption, a whiff of festering putrefication". Interestingly, it smelled just like the limburger sandwich that Rattrap had just eaten. The Low Road

Some Cybertronians from the 2007 film continuity appear to have olfactory sensors. Ratchet's were powerful enough to detect variation in the pheromone levels of some. Megatron also noted that he could smell the same fleshling. Whether it was the pheromone levels or something else that Megatron detected is currently unknown. Transformers When hunting Demolishor in Shanghai, Ironhide commented that he could smell the Decepticon close by whilst seemingly sniffing the air. Revenge of the Fallen

Cybertronians in the Transformers Animated universe have been shown to possess olfactory sensors, much to Prowl's dismay when he was on trash cleanup duty. Garbage In, Garbage Out

Heatwave's olfactory sensors are capable of smelling a full diaper from great distance. Four Bots and a Baby

Minimus Ambus tapped the side of his nose to recalibrate his olfactory sensors, apparently to dampen the smell of the long-distance space bridge.

Optical sensors

Through Skyquake's optics, his colour scheme actually looks really really cool.

The optics on a Transformer mostly seem to perform in an identical way to human eyes, including all the flaws, such as the ability to be dazzled by bright light sources pointed directly at them. Atmospheres with a high particle content may require windshield wipers to keep optic sensors clear.

While all Transformers can usually be assumed to see in the same visual spectrum of colours than humans see in, there are obviously exceptions who are completely colour-blind, and some Transformers demonstrate different perceptions (usually wherever the plot calls for it). Wreck-Gar, for instance, has 'magnetic vision,' probably quite useful given the uniform reddish hue of his home planet of Junkion!

Optical sensors typically came in visored and non-visored varieties. Sometimes on the same character.

There are also some of the Transformers possessed of Optic weaponry.

How Transformers "see" in their alternate forms has only been briefly touched on, however. In one story, it is explained that Transformers have some form of a linked visual network throughout their alternate form, whereas in other cases everyone is just drawn with big googly eyes inside their vehicle mode headlights. Career Day The Great Car Rally Megatron has his head exposed in his tank mode, which allows him to see his opponents and decreases his reaction time.

Targeting sensors

Targeting sensors are sensors which help a Transformer locate and identify a hostile entity. While hunting Autobots through a haze of dirt underwater, Lugnut's targeting sensors managed to locate a body within the haze. Pleased his sensors had succeeded, he threw a punch with full force... hitting Blitzwing. Apparently, his targeting sensors had failed him. Lost and Found

Surveillance packages

Scrounge's surveillance package in action.

Many Transformers possess sensor packages that allow them to record surveillance data for later review. Laserbeak in particular often serves in this function for the Decepticons.

Also of note are the surveillance sensors contained within the arm assembly of the Autobot Scrounge. He has boasted on numerous occasions that they are unique. The Smelting Pool!

Elita One later displayed a similar device. Sorry, Scrounge. Games of Deception

Jazz has also proven to mount a comparable package in his left arm. Spotlight: Jazz

Notes

• In the original The Transformers cartoon, Transformer optical sensors were conventionally colored blue for the Autobots and red for the Decepticons, regardless of the toy's coloring. This practice was revived for Transformers Animated. There were some exceptions.

• In an incredible coincidence, Transformer vision as depicted in the live-action film series exactly corresponds to the CinemaScope aspect ratio used in the films.

See also

• Circuits
• Processors
• Programs
• Systems

Note

Foreign names

• Mandarin: Chuán Gǎn Qì (China，传感器, "Transfer Feeling Unit ")