Roller (G1)

Roller is a component of Autobot leader Optimus Prime in Generation 1 continuity.

In robot mode, Optimus Prime splits into three components:
 * A sentient robot module.
 * A whelled drone module known as Roller.
 * A Combat Deck.

Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one module is felt by the other two.

Prime's original character description, as seen in the Transformers Universe comic and the series bible named the robot module "Optimus" and the drone module "Prime", noting that the Prime module is also known as Roller. However, in practice, these names were never used as such. The robot module was always treated as if named "Optimus Prime", with "Prime" even being the robot module's most common nick name.

Voice actors: R2-D2

Capabilities
Roller is a small cart-shaped device that Optimus Prime uses to unobtrusively slip behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over Roller at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself.

Roller is a droid, able to function autonomously without Optimus's active oversight. But without Optimus, by far the most important of the three modules, Roller would not survive. Optimus shows great attachment and concern for Roller, who is left particularly vulnerable by the behind-the-scenes situations in which he specializes.

Roller is able to speak in a series of beeps and whistles.

Origin
The bio information in the E-Hobby exclusive toy of Orion Pax established a pre-Earth history for Roller. Orion Pax was a transport and delivery worker on Cybertron. His body was composed to two autonomous units, Orion (the robot) and an industrial droid Barrelroller, who transformed into an electromagnetic lift handle.

The name "Barrelroller" only appears in the official English-language translations of Orion Pax's bio on Takara's E-Hobby site. In the Japanese-language version of the bio -both online and on the pack-in bio card from the toy- Barrelroller is called simply "Roller". This more or less cements the idea that Barrelroller was rebuilt into Roller as we know him when Alpha Trion rebuilt Orion Pax into Optimus Prime.

Roller's Excellent Adventures
Roller has played a critical role in many of the Autobots' most exciting adventures!

More than Meets the Eye
When Bumblebee and Sparkplug are caught by Decepticons, and with the clock ticking on the bomb they planted, Optimus Prime sends Roller into the mine. When the bomb explodes, Optimus is nearly destroyed, but Roller emerges cheekily unscathed, prompting Jazz to observe "Roller's one tough little Autobot!"



The Autobot Run
The Autobots are stuck in automotive mode by the evil Transfixatron. With Ironhide in the claws of Megatron's car-crushing machine, only Roller can save the day! Roller leads the Decepticons on a merry chase, allowing Optimus to rescue Ironhide from the jaws of undignified death! (Note: Megatron would later succeed in killing Ironhide in an undignified manner during the movie, when Roller was not around.)



Megatron's Fight for Power
Spike's sally to sneakily sabotage the Solar Station is stymied by a sealed storage-door. Roller to the Rescue! Sent scuttling through the sage, secreted from Soundwave's sight, to supply a Cybertronian sonic multi-tool. Roller has saved the day! (Spikes's subsequent sabotage of the solar station and ensuing explosion of energon cubes could be construed (in some small way) to save the day as well.)

Toys