Has it been considered that the Overload status might not actually apply to the Automaton? I know it sounds silly, but when you overload, it says "<PlayerName> is Overloaded" instead of "<Pet> is Overloaded".

What if (and this is merely speculation), Overload is actually part of the Animator? I've always thought of the Animator being some kind of game controller, and instead of the Automaton being inflicted with Overload, it's actually the Animator itself. When the Animator Overloads it erases all Maneuvers and stops communicating with the Automaton.