The Autobots have always been shown as heroic soldiers in their war against the Decepticons. Both the toys and the animated series bring this into focus, giving each character their own rank and function within both factions. Some were more straightforward, like Scout and Lieutenant, while others were specialized like an Engineer and Air Commander. Some great examples of these roles were Bumblebee, the Autobot's resident Scout, and Wheeljack, who is always seen tinkering on the latest gadget.

However, when The Transformers: The Movie was released 35 years ago, the roles of the Autobots changed forever thanks to a 25-year time jump. In that time, the Autobots established themselves on Cybertron and Earth and worked out a symbiotic relationship between the planets. While the Decepticon threat was still prevalent, the Autobots on Earth enjoyed relative peace thanks to all they achieved. As a result, some of the ranks and roles shifted, focusing less on military roles and more on what suited each Autobot best. The film's newest members showcase this best