Cyber-conversion

Cyber-conversion was the physical and mental re-engineering of Human victims into Cybermen. In an alternate universe, this was referred to as Upgrading.

Cybermen

Cyber-conversion involved 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, was possible.

Cybermen of Pete's World

The Cybermen of Pete's World, instead of replacing body parts, transplanted living brains into metal exoskeletons sustained in a cradle of chemicals and threaded together by an artificial nervous system. The process was extremely 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.

During the Battle of Canary Wharf, the Cybermen, badly needing reinforcements, 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 that the reason why certain converts with exceptionally strong willpower 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 1851 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

Cybermen

• Toberman- Partial cyber-conversion on Telos, regained his humanity and attacked the Cyber-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• Bates and Stratton - Cyber-conversion process failed at an early stage after their limbs had been replaced by mechanical equivalents.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)

Cybermen of Pete's World

• 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)
• Mercy Hartigan - CyberKing. Miss Hartigan refused to be converted to a standard Cyberman and took control of the Cybermen which 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)