Cybertronian

The Cybertronians; more commonly known to the Human race as Transformers; are a species of autonomous robotic life forms originating from Cybertron: an artificial planetoid orbiting a distant star.

All factions of Transformers are Cybertronians: the Autobots, the Decepticons, the Maximals, the Predacons, even the Vehicons. Not all Cybertronians can transform, however, the "art" of transformation was not developed until the Second Cybertronian Civil War, the first war fought between the Autobots and the Decepticons. However, since that time, all Cybertronians are able to transform; only those predating the Second War may not have this ability.

Biology
Cybertronians are a machine race, and as thus they do not breathe, consume food or drink like biological races. Instead, Cybertronians use a rare substance called energon as a fuel or "life force". In its raw form, it is actually harmful to them (although not to organic life) but in its processed form, it is essential to their survival. Cybertronian technology has developed to the point where they can convert most forms of energy into energon.

All Cybertronians carry a "spark" inside their bodies. As long as this spark endures and remains intact, the Cybertronian can be rebuilt, no matter how much damage the unit has sustained. If the spark is extinguished or otherwise destroyed in some way, the Cybertronian cannot be rebuilt and remains permanently dead. It is a common belief amongst the Maximals that their sparks are a part of or a fragment of Primus, the mythical creator of the Cybertronian race.