Ratchet is an Autobot from Cybertron who served as a medical officer and technical specialist during the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. He became one of the Autobots’ most experienced field medics, treating wounded soldiers and repairing damaged Cybertronian systems throughout the conflict. He also developed extensive engineering and scientific expertise, including work on advanced transportation technology. He created the Ground Bridge, which allowed the Autobots to travel between locations on Earth without relying on a conventional Space Bridge.

Ratchet had known Optimus Prime long before Optimus assumed the title of Prime. Their relationship predated their roles as commander and medical officer, and Ratchet became one of Optimus’s closest and longest-standing companions. During the war, Ratchet served alongside the Autobots through repeated battles, injuries, and losses. He was among those who continued fighting after Cybertron became uninhabitable and the conflict forced the Autobots away from their home world.

After arriving on Earth, Ratchet established himself at the Autobot base, Outpost Omega One, where he served as the team’s medical officer and maintained its equipment. His responsibilities included treating injured Autobots, conducting scientific research, developing solutions to their dwindling Energon supplies, and keeping their transportation systems operational. He also had to adapt Cybertronian technology to Earth’s unfamiliar environment and machinery. His work with the Ground Bridge became essential to the team’s ability to respond to threats across the planet.

Ratchet initially opposed bringing human allies into the Autobot base because he feared their involvement would expose them to the dangers of the war. However, he gradually worked alongside Jack Darby, Miko Nakadai, and Raf Esquivel. Raf’s knowledge of human computer systems proved particularly useful when Ratchet encountered technology he could not readily operate or repair. Over time, Ratchet came to rely on the humans’ assistance in situations where their knowledge and abilities could help the Autobots.

As the war continued, Ratchet worked on synthetic Energon to address the Autobots’ diminishing fuel supplies. His research sought to create an artificial substitute that could sustain Cybertronians, but his early formula was unstable. He eventually tested it on himself, experiencing a temporary increase in physical capability alongside dangerous effects. He later abandoned the unsafe approach after recognizing its consequences. His scientific work continued to intersect with the larger conflict, particularly when the Decepticons pursued their own experiments and plans involving Cybertronian energy and biological engineering.

During the search for a way to restore Cybertron, Ratchet eventually cooperated with the Decepticons when he believed their work might offer a chance to revive his home world. He participated in the development of the synthetic Energon formula under those circumstances. When he discovered that Megatron intended to use the completed formula to cyberform Earth, Ratchet rejected the plan, escaped, and contacted the Autobots. He helped them oppose Megatron’s scheme and prevent Earth from being transformed to restore Cybertron.

After Cybertron was restored, Ratchet returned to help his fellow Autobots and witnessed Optimus Prime’s final sacrifice to return the AllSpark to Cybertron’s core. Ratchet subsequently remained connected to the protection of Earth and its inhabitants. His history therefore spans his service as a Cybertronian field medic, his technical work supporting the Autobot resistance, his years stationed on Earth, his research into synthetic Energon, and his involvement in the effort to restore Cybertron.