"[1][2] Led by Optimus Prime in most stories, the Autobots believe that "freedom is the right of all sentient life"[1][3] and are often engaged in a civil war with the Decepticons, a faction of Transformers dedicated to military conquest and usually headed by Megatron.

[7] Over time, Autobots have been introduced with alternate modes that include aircraft, weapons, robotic animals, or a variety of devices (such as music equipment or microscopes).

[5] Autobots, like all transformers, need to regularly feed on Energon (a form of energy they can produce from certain fuel sources) or they will grow weaker in health and eventually die.

[11] As the transformer's consciousness develops, the proto-form takes shape into a robotic form and an alternate mode is soon determined afterward.

[10][15] Starting with the original series The Transformers, Cybertron is shown to house a seemingly living super-computer called Vector Sigma.

[7] Later, media consistently portrays that Vector Sigma harnesses the power of another source known as the Allspark to imbue a transformer with its individual soul or "spark.

This has led to different factions of transformers with their own cultures and beliefs, some of whom become Autobots while others have no desire to involve themselves in Cybertron's civil war.

[10] In several comics and cartoon stories, the Prime is a figurehead of a ruling council that governs Cybertron (or the entire transformer race that is scattered across different planets).

[7][16] The origin and nature of the Matrix differs across Transformers media, but it is consistently shown to be a powerful object that houses the memories and wisdom of previous Autobot leaders who wielded it.

[1][7][16] Often, the Matrix is shown to have a direct connection to Primus, a god-like being who became the planet Cybertron itself and created its race of living robots.

[10] Across Transformers media, Prima is the first to wield the Matrix of Leadership and his wisdom and essence are absorbed into it after he dies in battle with another ancient Prime known as Megatronus.

Optimus Prime, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Jack, Miko and Raf embark on a journey to defeat the villainous Megatron and the Decepticons[18] in his plan to use his secret new weapon.

A massive eruption of power during the battle on the meteor breaks out, and the Autobots become separated from Jack, Miko and Raf, who are monitoring them at base.

During the final four episodes of the season, the Autobots unwillingly team up with Megatron to battle a legendary threat to Earth's existence,[22] Unicron.

to protect Earth from the remaining rogue Decepticons, reach out to the Malto family and offer the Terrans the chance to be mentored by Bumblebee.

With new threats on the horizon, such as the mad scientist Dr. Meridian (Mandroid) and the various Decepticons still at large, the Autobots and Maltos work together to keep each other safe and find their place in the world while learning what it truly means to be a family.

Prime returns to the city's surface and successfully defeats Megatron and members of the High Guard who defect to his side, eventually banishing them for attempting to destroy Iacon.

The miners are given their transformation cogs by Optimus Prime, who officially reforms them as the Autobots to protect Cybertron against the threat of the Quintessons, and promising they will maintain peace, order and will fight for justice throughout the galaxy.