Diagnostic Drone
A Diagnostic Drone is a type of autonomous drone which generally assists Transformers in performing administrative or technical tasks. They have some measure of artificial intelligence and are small, roughly ovoid devices with one visual sensor, two clawed arms, and two "wings". They can hover or fly. Diagnostic Drones are explicitly depicted as sparkless. Several have been shown to have the ability to speak and use advanced experimental technology, but only one is known to have had apparent emotions and a sense of humor; that unit was either a true artificial intelligence, or a very good simulation of one.
Fiction
Beast Era
Theft of the Golden Disk
A black and white Diagnostic Drone accompanies Cryotek. Theft of the Golden Disk
Beast Machines cartoon
- Voice actor: Christopher Gaze/Paul Dobson (English), Isshin Chiba (Japanese), Mino Caprio (Italian), Hans Hohlbein (German)
Diagnostic Drones were used by Megatron during his tenure as ruler of Cybertron.
One drone in particular served as Megatron's right-hand man. Fires of the Past This drone displayed a seemingly full range of emotions, although its ability to make decisions was handicapped in some ways by its programming. Despite this nearly full sentience, it was explicitly stated to have no spark.
After one of Megatron's many attempts to purge his systems from the organic component, the drone informed Megatron that the procedure had been successful. It was proved wrong when Megatron became frustrated with his drones’ inability to take out the Maximals during their latest confrontation. Megatron scorched the Diagnostic Drone out of anger, though this left it relatively unharmed. When Megatron asked why his drones were having so much trouble with the small group of Maximals despite their technological superiority, the Diagnostic Drone suggested that free-will might be a factor. Megatron admitted that the drone might have a point, and created the Vehicon generals Tankor, Thrust and Jetstorm. Fires of the Past
The Diagnostic Drone continue to aid Megatron in his attempts to purge his body from its organic components, despite regularly warning the Vehicon leader that the procedures were still in their experimental stages. In the wake of a power-feedback, Megatron was rendered weak and unable to defend himself. The drone informed him that all planetary systems were down, and his forces would be unable to defend him until power was restored in half a solar-cycle. After the time period had passed, the drone informed Megatron that his strength was returning. Sure enough, all systems came back online immediately after. The Diagnostic Drone was surprised to see Megatron keep his end of a bargain he made with Rattrap, and allow the Maximals walk away from his citadel. Megatron explained that they could always liberate the Maximals’ sparks another day. The Weak Component
The drone was later reprogrammed by the reawakened Rhinox.
Near the end of Megatron's rule, after his spark was de- and repolarized, his spark became stuck in a Diagnostic Drone for a time.
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
Diagnostic Drones—or drones that look exactly like them—were put to use at the Vaults storing data cassettes. The War Within #1
A similar drone later helped Soundwave carry out Megatron's plan to expose the core of Cybertron itself. The Age of Wrath Pt.2
TransTech
The case of Diagnostic Drone vs. Tankor was mentioned during an argument regarding the GoBots, and claims from Crystal Widow and General Demolishor. It is implied to relate to a manner of property dispute similar to what happened in Beast Machines. Evidently, Tankor's misuse of Diagnostic Drone landed him in court. Withered Hope
Shattered Glass
A Diagnostic Drone is seen along with Scrapper and Hook, who are giving Cliffjumper medical treatment. This one has the addition of an adorable nurse's cap. Shattered Glass
The AllSpark Almanac
On time off from Project Powermaster, Perceptor reprogrammed a Diagnostic Drone into Tutorbot 2.0. The AllSpark Almanac II
IDW Generation 1 continuity
A Diagnostic Drone assisted Ratchet with repairs aboard the Lost Light. Hangers On
Later, another medical Drone reacted to Red Alert's mention of Overlord's name, and apparently summoned someone to retrieve the evidence Alert had left with the comatose Rung. Rules of Disengagement
When he left the Lost Light aboard the O Fortuna, First Aid's leaving present from Rewind and Tailgate contained a photograph of himself, Ratchet, Ambulon and the Diagnostic Drone. The One Where They Go to Earth
Kre-O comic
Airachnid sweeped up a Diagnostic Drone that was littering the floor of the Decepticon base. The Beautiful Flower Has Thorns? Temptation of the Female Soldier, Airachnid!
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese: Flying C (フライングC Furaingu C)
- Mandarin: Yīliáo Fēng (医疗蜂, "Medical Bee")
