Thad Workman used to be an electronics engineer. He helped rebuild Neutropolis, assisted Praetor Berry and others in their construction and programming of the robots that tend all of Praetoria. When Berry 'let him go' (forgot about him, more likely) Thad was furious. Since he had easy access to programs and knew where almost all the communication lines were set up, he retreated to a warehouse that he convienently 'repurposed' into his base of operations.

If there's a camera in Praetoria, Thad can see through it. If there's a bot doing work, he can control it. From a buzzing nest of wires and highly sensitive controllers, Thad's influence on Praetoria could grow out of control. He has chosen to remain behind the scenes, just content to keep track of things for now.

But when he needs to do any detailed work, he taps into one of his specially designed remote units. Several protect his 'nest'.

***

I imagine that Thad has unnerved his share of the Pantheon, by seeming remarkably like one of their old enemies, Norton Mapes, known as Overwatch when he was remade by Ulathoi. Though he more greatly resembles another of their childhood terrors, Douglas Rattmann, physically.

His command over these remote units is stunningly strong - strong enough that his body has learned enough about the combat moves and defenses to apply them to his own body, though he isn't remarkably strong and can be hurt in his human guise. He can in fact be hurt while out in the remotes as well, but he has learned to disconnect when they become too dangerous.

The similarities between these units and some of the robotics that Aperture Science was working on shortly before Cave Johnson's death are somewhat shocking. But it's clear that there was never an Aperture in that world, he developed them on his own.

He worked undercover in Praetoria for a long while, but then began sending units into Primal Earth. Oddly enough though, he didn't need to relocate his nest until the actual demise of Praetoria some time later. Meaning, Thad's remotes can be controlled essentially between dimensions. This is a feat that Paxton is impressed by - and impressing Paxton is difficult at best.

His Remotes include a variety of multiple-use robots: from his normal 'wear and tear' medium male build, the 'faster than typical' slender male, a 'friendly until you get to know her' female shape, and a 'heavy armor' male. These may not be his only Remotes, though - given the huge number of physical needs out there, he might start developing new ones in Paragon.