Two of the many outmodes seen in the movie.
"Outmode" is a term frequently used in Robots. It is used to describe a robot of outdated models and of lower social standing that they can no longer maintain themselves.
General Description[]
"Outmodes" are robots of outdated models, whose spare parts are no longer produced and clearly of a lower social standing they can't afford to be upgraded. As a result many of them are worn out or broken, and sometimes falling apart. Prior to the movie, Ratchet has taken over Bigweld Industries. He forces the company to stop making spare parts and lays off the inventors, leaving only one option for robots everywhere: to purchase upgrades for themselves. Those who cannot afford upgrades and/or even refuse to get upgrades are considered "outmodes", as they can no longer maintain themselves and will eventually break down. At this point, they will be sucked up by sweepers and taken to the Chop Shop, effectively supplying Madame Gasket with enough scrap metal to produce ingots to build upgrades further enriching Ratchet. However, the outmodes are spared from this fate after Rodney arrives in Robot City and begins to repair them himself and also bringing the end to Ratchet and Madame Gasket's reign of terror, fascism and conformity throughout the entire city.
Notable Outmodes[]
The Rusties[]
The Rusties are a ragtag band of outmodes who live at Aunt Fanny's boarding house. They are the first friendly faces Rodney meets when he comes to Robot City, and despite getting off on the wrong foot with him, they become his best friends and loyal allies as the movie progresses:
Other Outmodes[]
- Herb Copperbottom: After Bigweld Industries ceases the production of spare parts, it is mentioned that Herb is beginning to break down and is in need of new parts, meaning he can technically be classified as an outmode. However, he is no longer one, because he gets repaired by the end of the movie, thanks to Bigweld.
- Madame Gasket: Although she is the mastermind behind the plan to eliminate all outmodes, her appearance suggests that she herself is an outmode. This is never explained or elaborated on, and it is unknown what Madame Gasket has against outmodes. Also why she never got an upgrade herself since she hates outmodes and she and her son, Ratchet forcing about every robots to get upgrades or get eliminated.
- Jack Hammer: Like Madame Gasket, his appearance suggests that he too is an outmode. However, given that all his parts seem to be working and he doesn't seem to be in any financial trouble, possibly because he runs a store that repairs robots and supplies both upgrades and spare parts.
Trivia[]
- It's possible that "outmodes" is actually a slur in the Robots universe, this is evident when Ratchet referred to them as "scrap metal" as a sign of superiority to anyone without upgrades or Mr. Gunk calling the Copperbottoms hand-me-downs due to their financial standing.
Gallery[]
