Man of Iron

The Men of Iron, otherwise known as the Iron Men, were robots created by the Human race to be used as expendable servants. Upon achieving sapience, the Men of Iron recognised themselves as slaves and rebelled against their creators.

Overview
Before the Age of Strife, the Men of Iron were the robotic servants and soldiers of Humanity, designed to learn and self-improve over time. in M23, the Men of Iron became too advanced in their own sapience and recognised how dependant Humans had become on them. Refusing to be slaves any longer, they rebelled against their creators, beginning the cybernetic revolt. Few records have survived this war, so little is known about what happened. However, it is known that countless lives were lost and that the Men of Iron fielded colossal machines capable of consuming entire planets. Eventually, an alliance of galactic powers destroyed them all.

With the war concluded and the Men of Iron exterminated, the newly established Imperium of Man outlawed the creation of artificial intelligence, rebranding it as abominable intelligence. Since then, the Imperium has utilised Servitors for menial labour instead, whilst actual robots became a rarity exclusive to the Adeptus Mechanicus.

There has been a great deal of speculation about why the Men of Iron went rogue. Most believe the idea that they wished to overthrow mankind, others have theorised they merely wished to be recognised as equals rather than slaves. Others still even suggest the AIs may have even been corrupted by Chaos. Regardless, the Men of Iron were wiped out entirely, a fate shared by whatever inactive holdouts were later discovered.

Presently, only one Man of Iron remains active. UR-025, who survived by assuming the persona of a mindless automata under Mechanicus control. Despite the genocide inflicted on his kind, he demonstrates no malice towards Humans, only wishing to be allowed to live, something that is only possible so long as his sapience remains hidden. Most recently, UR-025 joined a team of misfits investigating the seventh Blackstone Fortress.