Tribubble bongo

The Gungans of Naboo relied on unusual, bio-engineered submersibles called Bongos. They ranged from tiny, single-person craft to the large Heyblibbers used for long journeys. Bongos were handcrafted, ensuring that each craft was unique from the rest. A bongo was built around an organic coral-like skeleton bred in special underwater fields by Gungan designers. This skeleton formed the bongo's hull and was strong, though prone to damage by sea monsters encountered in the watery depths of Naboo.

The hull was equipped with an electrical power plant, a guidance system, and passenger seating. Most bongo designers were inspired by the creatures of the oceans surrounding them. As a result, many bongos resembled squid, sting rays or other sea creatures. The most commonly used propulsion system used by a bongo was several long, aft-mounted tentacles that rotated to push the bongo forward through the water. These tentacles were powered by an electromotive field motor. Bongos also had repulsorlifts for both entering and exiting specially designed bongo bays connected to most Gungan cities.

The bongo's passengers sat in small compartments covered by bubble-like canopies. These in reality were actually hydrostatic fields, similar to those use to create buildings in Gungan cities like Otoh Gunga. Hydrostatic fields were generated by channeling energy between two opposing poles. An access panel located under the cockpit bubble allowed temporary repairs to the steering systems. For the bongo, energy traveled between a positively charged prong jutting over the cockpit and several small, negatively charged receptors positioned around the passenger compartment. Once the field was activated, air and water were kept out. The most complex aspect of the bongo was its buoyancy system. Spongelike hydrostatic chambers were spread out around the perimeter of the bongo. In order to dive, heavy oil was released into the hydrostatic chambers, changing density. When surfacing, these were purged of oil, forcing another density change. The oil was recycled throughout this system.

While the Gungans produced much of the technology needed for bongo creation, electronics and specialized equipment like metal cargo containers had to be purchased from the Naboo. Gungan traders procured such items from the Naboo in exchange for foodstuffs and medicine. Bongos were incredibly versatile and could be built for many functions. Cargo bongos featured cargo holds instead of passenger modules, while a Gungan Army transport bongo could carry about five armed passengers. Monobubble racing bongos were also produced and Bongo technology even enabled the Gungans to construct starships, which they used to colonize the Naboo moon Ohma-D'un.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace