Hasbro's cable network, The Hub revealed its 2011-2012 programming lineup this week and amid such board game-to-game show translations as The Game of Life and Scrabble Showdown emerged an all-new animated Transformers series aimed at the all-ages crowd. Currently bearing the working title Rescue Bots, the new show will star young Autobots lending a hand to human first responders. It's a concept likely to cut down on robotic laser rifle usage, but ultimately noble considering the very real threat of natural disasters.

From The Hub's official press release:

"Rescue Bots" (Hub Original Series, working title)

Inspired by the iconic "Transformers" brand, a group of Autobots, too young to protect humanity alongside Optimus Prime and his team, are partnered with a close-knit human family of first responders. Together, they learn teamwork and heroism alongside their new human friends in this animated series produced by Hasbro Studios.

A bevy of Rescue Bots were on display at this year's Toy Fair, which key TF fan site Seibertron suggests are the likely stars of the show. In addition to a few fairly standard-looking Transformers there are also numerous human first responders (firefighters, police) using what seems to be Autobots in the form of rescue equipment/armor.


No word yet on exactly when the show will debut or the toys will arrive in stores, but it's comforting to see Transformers The Hub's projected 6-11 target audience can look up to rather than, say, Michael Bay's robotic monsters who pee on people and reinforce ridiculous racial stereotypes.