The Y series combat robots are the third generation to be deployed by the C Quadrant Defenders. The versatility of the W series had been proven on the ground, but were both heavy and limited in terms of obstacle traversal. A bipedal design was explored to improve on these deficiencies. Weight considerations required that the bulky torso be streamlined, and most of the armor plating be discarded. A low center of mass could no longer be counted on as the main source of stability while carrying weapons or other objects. Instead, an active balancing system allowed a thinner humanoid shaped robot to walk with ease while under load across uneven terrain. The resulting design is far more agile and nimble than preceding combat robots in service with the CQD.

The Y1's head contains cameras and a general purpose sensor package to provide an excellent field of visibility for remote operators. Controllers are able to command Y1 units over vast distances thanks to a long range antenna. The backpack contains batteries, allowing the robot to operate in the field for significant lengths of time between recharging. Active balancing routines required a more powerful on-board processor than earlier combat robots, which gave programmers and designers more computational overhead for implementing automated tasks. Robot controllers can rely on the Y1's automation far more often to accomplish simple tasks. As well, the Y series is far more general pupose in its design, due to having so many points of articulation, giving the robot the ability to handle many tasks without direct human guidance. They aren't the pinnacle of combat robot design, but they represent a major step forward and a staple of CQD operations, suppmenting troops wherever possible.