Cyber-conversion

Cyber-conversion as named by the Mondasians, or Upgrading as known to Cybus Industries of an alternate universe, involves the physical and mental re-engineering of Human victims into Cybermen.

Mondasian Cybermen

Cyber-conversion involves the replacement of body parts, including limbs, organs, and vital systems, with artificial components. Partial conversion, with the victim retaining autonomy and a human identity and body parts, is possible.

Cybus Cybermen

Unlike the Mondasion Cybermen the Cybermen of Petes World opted to transplant a living brain into a metal exoskeleton sustained in a cradle of chemicals and threaded together by an artificial nervous system . The process was incredibly painful and took place in a booth where the subject was surgically mutilated by a robotic machine that used knives, lasers and syringes to remove the brain before encasing it in an empty cybernetic helmet. This was the most efficient way of conversion. However during the Battle of Canary Wharf, the Cybermen, needing reinforcements badly, quickly converted Humans into Cybermen by encasing Humans in cybernetic shells, as with Lisa Hallett. Hallett would have died if her lover, Ianto Jones had not managed to retrofit a cyber-conversion unit into life support for her. (TW: Cyberwoman) It may be possible that the reason why certain converts with exceptionally strong will-power like Yvonne Hartman could overcome their programming was because this form of conversion was less precise and more rushed. The Cybermen also employed a very primitive type of conversion in the 1800's when they created the cybershades using scrap metal and victorian technology. They also invented a way of converting humans into command units for Cyberkings by fitting them with a headset that could take control of their brains.

Named cyber-converted individuals

Mondasian Cybermen

• Toberman- Partial cyber-conversion on Telos, regained his humanity and attacked the Controller. Sacrificed his life to close doors of the Cybermen's tombs (DW: The Tomb of the Cybermen)
• Bates and Stratton - Cyber-conversion process failed at an early stage, after their limbs had been replaced by mechanical equivalents. Put to work on the surface of Telos with similar such failures. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)
• Lytton - Partial cyber-conversion on Telos, cyber-conversion incomplete at the time of his death (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)
• Evelyn Smythe (alternative timeline) - (WC: / BFA: Real Time)
• Tobias Vaughn - Partial cyer-conversion, retained head and therefore his own thoughts. (DW: The Invasion)

Cybus Cybermen

• John Lumic - Converted into Cyber-Controller
• Sally Phelan
• Jackie Tyler of an alternative universe - Alternate counterpart of Jackie Tyler
• Yvonne Hartman - Torchwood Institute administrator
• Lisa Hallett - Torchwood worker and love of Ianto Jones, partial cyber-conversion (TW: Cyberwoman)
• Miss Mercy Hartigan - CyberKing. Miss Hartigan refused to be converted to a standard Cyberman and took control of the Cybermen that landed in 1851. The Cybermen, however, had slowly set a plan in motion that would eventually make Miss Hartigan both a convert and a leader (DW: The Next Doctor)