Electromagnetic pulse
An electromagnetic pulse (or EMP) is a magic event which disables or destroys some electronic/robotic devices, but leaves others conveniently operational.
Fiction
Generation 1
Super Robot Lifeform Transformer manga
Megatron created an EMP cannon called the Omega Whip which he planned to use to hold the Earth hostage. The Autobots intervened and managed to destroy the Omega Whip. Full Throttle Scramble Power!
Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers
General Hawk used an EMP to disable Wheeljack and Bumblebee at Area 51. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4
Transformers (2007)
Sector Seven ARG
The Real Gear Robot referred to as AX9-8946-09SU-1 proved to be resistant to an electromagnetic pulse in Sector Seven experiments.
Transformers Animated
Cartoon continuity
During his days in the Great Wars, Ratchet carried a small EMP generator on his arm. He used this device on low power settings to place patients under general anesthetic, allowing him to perform painful or complex operations without causing the patient discomfort. He described its operation to Arcee, tellier her it would "temporarily overload your consciousness center". At higher settings, the device is capable of immediately rendering a Transformer unconscious, even at range, and can also erase memory cores. Unfortunately, the generator was stolen by Lockdown, who used it as a weapon for many years before Ratchet was able to recover it. When Lockdown tried using it on Ratchet, Ratchet reviled that the he was immune to it. The Thrill of the Hunt
In the present, on Earth, Ratchet and Bumblebee can create a directed EMP by "crossing the streams", so to speak, of their respective magnetic and electric weapons. Some combination of this EMP and Sari Sumdac's key was seemingly responsible from granting sparks to the lifeless Dinobots. Blast from the Past
