The HoverProbe series started in 2167 when the first prototype was produced. The HoverProbe MK0, as it was known at the time was a simple device which is fitted with basic experiments and could function both in the vacuum of space and on a planetary surface. It did take a while to make, and the first mass produced version was the prototype MK0 version with a coat of whatever paint they could find. They also renamed it to the HoverProbe MK1. It was later used as a form of short-range distress beacon, usually with the experiments manually removed.

Later in 2168, the originally intended MK1 version was created, now known as the MK2 version. This version contained spinning lights which could be used to illuminate objects of interest, or subject a research subject to infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. It contained more science experiments than the first and also could function in space and in an atmosphere. As the MK1 version was so popular, they only had the paint used for the MK1 version available, and since they couldn't be bothered to order up a new supply of paint, they used the paint supply they had already ordered. This made the MK2 version coloured exactly the same as the MK1 version. As with the MK1 version, it was used mostly as a form of short-range distress beacon. This was unknown to the creators at the time.

During the interstellar wars of the 2180s, the demand for distress beacons rose, including the MK1 and MK2 Hover Probes. The creators of the HoverProbe series took advantage of this and created the HoverProbe MK3 in 2184 - It automatically aligned to the nearest magnetic north pole, with the side facing that direction highlighted with a white line. The reason it was a white line was because use in atmospheres had risen, with more than 95% of usage "In atmosphere". Unfortunately, this usage statistic was incorrect as it was a side-effect of removing the experiments from HoverProbes to make way for communications systems and eventually, weapons systems. Yes, HoverProbes were once used as a torpedo against enemy targets. The MK3 version itself had a larger exterior due to the circuitry required for magnetic alignment. It contained many different experiments designed to work on a wide range of possible targets. There was an additional research light added on the top and they even had step-by-step instructions in the manual for how to remove the existing experiments and insert new ones. These steps were also packaged in new copies of the manuals for the MK1 and MK2 versions, allowing the distress beacon usage to increase, which also eventually led to it's usage as weapons.
Due to the long period of time between the creation of the MK1 and MK2 versions and the eventual creation of the MK3 version, the creators planned ahead and ordered new silver paint to give their next version a metallic coat of paint. After the war, the HoverProbes were never seen as a weapon of destruction - as almost all weaponized HoverProbes either were self destructed to not give the opposing forces their secrets away or destroyed their targets. I mean, is anyone ever going to think that a scientific device would attack you? No.

In 2185, the HoverProbe marketers found out that HoverProbes were being used as distress beacons and weapons. They however didn't know that over 90% of their profits was from this usage case and when they released the MK3 Hollow, it really took off. Some people even thought that this wasn't made by the original HoverProbe designers and was a simple, but very useful rip-off of the original MK3. It was mostly used for the same purpose as the previous versions and was eventually put out of production until after the wars ended.

Later in 2189 on the fifth anniversary of the MK3 version, they announced that they would make a new version of the MK1 HoverProbe painted in the same colours as the MK3 version. The wars were almost coming to a close as HoverProbe usage started to drop back to the amount seen before the war and this was done as a marketing strategy to keep the usage of HoverProbes up.

Later in 2194 on the tenth anniversary of the MK3 version, they announced that they would make a new version of the MK2 Hover Probe painted in the same colours as the MK3 version. This was done to keep the brand running for a few more years before the next version of the HoverProbe is made.

In 2202, the MK4 version was made as a higher-grade version of earlier HoverProbes. It contains a lot of new technology that the MK3 didn't have, including communication devices, an experiment chamber access hatch, (something only seen previously in the MK3 hollow) advanced control technology which allows the probe to rotate relative to the direction of the nearest magnetic north pole as well as a metallic coat of light-gray paint, with a black line replacing the white line on the MK3 version and the anniversary editions of the MK1 and MK2. A dark-gray band is also seen. The lights used were "repurposed search lights", as described in the manual, a reference to the Hover Probe series' use as distress beacons. It was also released with a hollow variant, similar to the MK3 hollow version, which didn't contain communication devices or advanced control technology, as well as not having lights or thrusters. It also had a slightly larger access hatch.
Both variants of the MK4 used the somewhat recent improvements in angled part creation techniques, mainly on the top of the probe.