R2-series astromech droid



The success of the R2 astromech droid series has never been equaled in Industrial Automaton's long history. A combination of excellent design, superb marketing, and good timing made this one of the most sought after droid's in history, and one of the few vintage astromech series still in active production.

Like its forerunners, the R2 was designed to work in and around space vessels as a diagnostic and repair unit. But unlike the clunky P2 and R1, this rounded, waist-high droid was made specifically to fit in military starfighter astromech slots. This was a radical departure, as previously all such droids had been dedicated government models. The droid's popularity was equal with Old Republic fighter jocks as with the general public.

When plugged into an X-wing, or Jedi Interceptor, the R2 monitors flight performance, pinpoints and corrects technical problems, and performs power management, optimizing shipboard systems. The unit can store up to ten sets of hyperspace vector coordinates in active memory, and many have the intelligence and experience to perform engine startup and pre-flight taxing. The R2 operates flawlessly in the vacuum of interstellar space.

The center of the droids success could be attributed to its Intellex IV computer, which features 700 different spacecraft configurations. Its sensor package is equally impressive; a full-spectrum transceiver and electromagnetic, heat, motion, and life-form detectors. The droid also has a fully maneuverable video sensor, deployed from its domed head, allowing it to inspect enclosed spaces, or pear over obstacles.

The droid's outer shell concealed an array of tools beneath its streamlined exterior. Each R2 came equipped from the factory with two manipulator arms, an electric arc welder, circular saw, computer scomp link arm, holographic recorder/projector unit, internal cargo compartment, and a general use fire extinguisher. IA, taking a page from Correlian ship-builders, made the droids easy to upgrade and modify. The company offered a variety of after-market packages, but industrious owners also managed to equip R2's with such eclectic items as underwater propellers, laser pointers, jet thrusters, remote sensor limpets, and inflatable life rafts.

IA spent a great deal of time in the design of the R2's personality matrix. The droid was obliging, quick witted, and sincere. If the droid is not subjected to periodic memory-wipes, it can develop a headstrong, self-reliant disposition. Many owners, however, actually prefer a droid willing to offer candid second opinions. Starfighter pilots tend to develop a strong bound with their astromech droids, often flying all their missions with one particular droid, and strongly object to the memory-wipes their counterparts are given on a regular basis in some units.

An article regarding the R2 droid series would be incomplete without mention of the most famous of the droids, R2-D2. Ever the droid came to the public's attention shortly after the destruction of the first Death Star, sales showed their highest increase since the launch of the series. IA has resisted the urge to feature Artoo-Deetoo's heroics in its holonet advertisements released after the fall of the Empire, for fear of alienating New Republic leaders.