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Ages 8+

Important Note: The treads on R2-D2s steering legs can navigate floors and most carpeting.
However, we strongly recommend you use R2-D2 indoors only. Never use R2-D2 near stairs, unless the stairs are protected. R2-D2 is unable to detect or navigate stairs and may fall down stairs and become damaged if not protected. Use on tabletops only in the wheel-lock setting. R2-D2 may fall from table and become damaged if wheels are not locked. You can keep R2 out of trouble by placing simple barriers in his path like sheets of cardboard. As long as it is something solid and is as tall or taller than R2, his sonar will usually detect it.
Official Astromech Droid Official Astromech Droid

FCC STATEMENT:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the equipment.

OPERATION MANUAL

Product and colors may vary. 2002 Lucasfilm Ltd. & or TM where indicated. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. * and/or * & 2002 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. denotes Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Office. CyberLife technology used in this product 2001 Creature Labs Ltd. Patents Applied for. The egg logo is a trademark of Creature Labs Ltd. All rights reserved. Voice Signal and the Voice Signal logo are trademarks of Voice Signal Technologies, Inc.

Distributed on Earth by:

Some assembly required. Requires 4 "D" batteries and 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included). Phillips screwdriver (not included) required to insert batteries.

P/N 6162290000

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USING R2-D2S INTERGALACTIC BEVERAGE HOLDER/UTILITY ARM
1.) Open door. 2.) Swing down utility arm. 3.) Open clamp and place beverage container (not included) in clamp.

Congratulations!

You are a proud owner of R2-D2, an R2-series astromech utility droid from Industrial Automaton, the galaxys finest maker of service automatons, and distributed here on Earth by Hasbro. This droid is ready to obey certain commands, play games, and assist you on your Jedi missions. This particular R2 unit comes from the peaceful world of Naboo, where he and a team of astromechs served Queen Amidala aboard her Royal Starship. R2-D2 has seen and taken part in many amazing adventures. He fought valiantly alongside both Anakin and Luke Skywalker, aided the Old Republic during the clone wars, and was instrumental to the Rebellion against the Empire during the Galactic Civil War. R2-D2 (or, alternately, Artoo Detoo) has been newly programmed at our state-of-the-art factory to be your devoted helper and friend: to obey your commands, to act as your room sentry and guard, and to play fun games with you and your friends!

BEVERAGE CONTAINER

UTILITY ARM
Cut along dotted line. Keep this card in R2s cargo hold for quick reference.
"Luke Skywalker" "Jabba the Hutt" "Dance program"

Companion Mode

"Behave yourself"
"Do you remember"
"Execute course"
"Delete course"

"Play message"

"Go on patrol"

"Command mode"

"Turn around"

"Plot course"

"Go forward"

"Don't move"

"Game mode"

"Switch off"

"Turn right"

"Light beam"

"Turn left"

"Speak up"

"Time out"

"Be quiet"

"Reset System"

Command Mode

Course Mode
R2s vocabulary of electronic beeps and whistles doesnt stop this droid from trying to communicate with human masters; he understands certain commands, and usually manages to get his points across, too! To get started, simply follow the instructions of this manual. Please be aware that R2 is an especially feisty astromech; when not treated well, he will let you know about it! But if you treat R2-D2 with the same loyalty and dedication that he will give to you, this little droid may help you to follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Jedi masters!

Length/Angle

"Spin the Droid"
"Princess Leia"

Characters

Say: "Hey, R2!"

Can be used in any mode.

"Darth Vader"

Game Mode

"Room Guard"

"Answer this"

"Three units"

"Chewbacca"

"Four units"

"Five units"

"Two units"

"Han Solo"

"Light tag"

"One unit"

"Obi-Wan"

"Padme"

"Anakin"

"C-3Po"

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Programming Courses:

You can also program and store a series of commands and ask R2 to execute the series all at once. To do this, say "Hey, R2!", then "Command Mode!", then "Plot course!" Give R2 several commands as described above, i.e. each command consisting of a direction and a distance. Once youve completed a series, say "Execute course!" and R2-D2 will do just that! Remember to wait for R2s acknowledging beep after each command before giving him another command. If you reach the maximum number of commands that R2s memory banks can hold (about twenty), R2 will launch into the series immediately. Any time you want to erase a command series, simply say "Plot course" then say "Delete course!" R2 will remain in Command Mode, but will delete the stored series. (It is not possible to delete just one command in a series, only the entire course.) Also, if you turn R2 off manually, he will wipe the course from his memory. Remember, at any time, you can say "Re-set system!" to bring R2 back to his Companion Mode. This will not delete the stored course. The many levels of R2-D2s programming will ensure lots of fun and discovery with this loyal, lovable, multi-talented droid. Have fun!

INSTALLING BATTERIES: 1.) Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the two
captive screws that secure the battery door in back, and remove the door. 2.) Open the compartment door. Insert four "AA" batteries into the compartment. Close the compartment door, then insert four "D" batteries on top as shown. (Re-chargeable batteries, such as NiCd or NiMH, will work well for the "D" cells, but are not necessary for the "AA" batteries.) 3.) Replace the battery door, and securely fasten the screws.

BATTERY DOOR

COMPARTMENT DOOR

D BATTERIES

FORWARD

AA BATTERIES

CAUTION: TO AVOID BATTERY LEAKAGE

{TOP VIEW}

1) Be sure to insert the batteries correctly and always follow the toy and battery manufacturers' instructions; 2) Do not mix old and new batteries or alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc) or rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries; 3) Always remove weak or dead batteries from the product.
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GAME PLAY WITH R2

GAME MODE DIRECTIONS
The Game Mode is somewhat more advanced than Companion Mode. In this mode, you and your friends can play five fun games with R2-D2:

GETTING STARTED

Now, heres where the fun really begins your utility droid is powered up and ready for action!

QUICK COMMANDS:

If you want to begin playing with R2-D2 right away, here are a few simple commands to get started! (This R2 unit also comes with a "Command Card" that lists in brief all of your droids command phrases. Dont use the Command Card, however, until youve read the rest of this manual first.)
1.) Light Tag 2.) Room Sentry 3.) Dance Program 4.) Spin the Droid 5.) Answer This
To start, say "Hey, R2!", wait for his response, and then say "Game Mode!" After he responds again, you may go on to any one of the following games. (Note: R2 will stay in Game Mode until you tell him to "Re-set system.")
Say: "Hey, R2!" to get R2-D2s attention. (Always say "Hey, R2!!" before giving him a
command.) Then try any or all of the following basic commands:

LIGHT TAG:

Light Tag is a hide-and-seek-style game. Say "Light Tag!" to R2-D2 and he will turn away and count to ten with a series of beeps (if hes in a mischievous mood, R2 may "cheat" by peeking over his shoulder, or start to seek before hes done counting!). When hiding, sit on the floor so that you are low enough for R2s sensors to detect you. After hes finished counting, R2 will search the room for you or your friends when he finds somebody, hell light up and whistle in triumph! Then say Hey R2! to end the game. If he cannot find any hiders for a few minutes, he gives up and emits "sad" and "frustrated" sounds. He will then revert to his default listening mode. This particular game is best played in a semi-dark room. In fact, R2s infrared sensors and sonar allow him to find you even in complete darkness!

"Light beam!" (The light beam on his dome flashes on! Say the same thing to turn it off!) "Play message!" (R2 will play a secret message.) "Go on patrol!" (R2 will patrol the room and beep when he finds someone!) "Re-set system!" (R2 will return to the beginning of his Companion Mode.)
The rest of this manual will explain in detail all of your R2 units modes and functions, starting with a more in-depth description of the Companion Mode.

ROOM SENTRY:

In this game, R2-D2 can serve as sentry guard to your bedroom, or any other room. Just place R2 at the entrance of a room and say "Room Guard!" Hell do a "ten count" by flashing his light this will allow you to leave the room without triggering an alarm. Then he will go into standby mode and start guarding the room. After that, if anybody tries to sneak past, R2s sentry light will flash. If his sound sensors or motion detector continue to sense the intruder, R2 will sound his alarm! Tap him on the head to stop the alarm; once youve shut off the alarm, hell revert to Companion Mode and wait for a new command. If no new command is given, R2 will go back into Room sentry mode.

IMPORTANT TIPS!

Any time, in any mode, that R2-D2s programming goes off on the wrong track and he is not responding correctly to your commands, you can say "Re-set system!" to take him back to the beginning of his Companion Mode. Whenever R2 is performing a command or action and you would like him to stop, simply tap him on the head (but be careful not to tap him too hard, or you might put him in a bad mood!). Initially, we recommend saying "Hey, R2!" before every command, to make sure that you have your droids attention. However, as you work with your R2 unit, you will find through trial and error that this command is not always necessary. Before long, you will be familiar enough with R2-D2s habits and responses to know when you have his attention or not! Always wait until R2 has finished responding before giving him another command he cannot hear you when he is talking. R2 will also not hear you when his motorized wheels are in motion or his head is turning; he can only hear you when he is stationary. For best speech recognition results, try to keep background noise as low as possible, and speak to R2 in a normal, friendly tone of voice; shouting or speaking loudly does not improve speech recognition (and its best not to have gum or food in your mouth when you speak to him!). If you are talking to R2 without using any of the "command phrases" listed in this manual, he will go into conversation mode and respond to you in his trademark language of beeps and whistles. R2-D2 is a great talker and a great listener who loves to converse with you! R2 does not like to be picked up while hes moving. If you do so, he may stop his motors and complain!

DANCE PROGRAM:

Say "Dance Program!" and R2 will play cantina music and do a spinning dance! Depending on his mood, he may do a happy fast dance or a sad slow one.

SPIN THE DROID:

This is a great party game. Gather round with a bunch of your friends, and say "Spin the Droid!" R2 will turn his dome around and back, around and back, scanning the crowd, before finally choosing one person by locking onto that person, flashing his light beam and playing a song! Recommended for up to 6 players. For best results, there should be a clear gap between each player.

ANSWER THIS:

Say "Answer This!", then ask R2-D2 a Yes or No question. Hell answer the question with a happysounding "Yes!" or shake his head and beep a negative-sounding "No!" R2-D2 may answer differently depending on his mood. To stop this game, tap R2 gently on the head and tell him to "Re-set system."
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION & DIRECTIONS
R2-D2 has three major function modes: 1.) COMPANION MODE (Pages 78) 2.) GAME MODE (Page 9) 3.) COMMAND MODE (Pages 10 11)
Within each of these modes, there are many functions to explore. This manual will take you through almost all of R2-D2s actions and responses, but youll discover more as you become more familiar with this droid; for as long as you own him, your droid will continue to surprise you with what he has to say! Remember to save this manual for as long as you have your R2 unit! The separate "Command Card" is also invaluable as a reminder of the many commands and phrases that help you interact with R2-D2. This card can be kept in R2s storage compartment.
Say: "Behave yourself!"
When R2 gets in a bad mood, his mood status indicator light turns red and he may not respond to your commands. This command will put him back in a content mood!
Say: "Timeout!"
And hell turn away, find the corner of the room and stand there like hes in trouble! (When he does this, R2 may complain just a bit, or sneak a peek over his shoulder. But when hes finished complaining, he will go to sleep.) Since R2 does not like being "punished," he usually refuses to move at first (by shaking his head). However, you can make him obey by saying "Behave yourself!" and repeating "Timeout!"

Say: "Do you remember?"
And then wait for R2 to acknowledge your question with a beep. Then ask him about any of these famous friends (or enemies): Luke Skywalker? Anakin? C-3PO? Darth Vader? Princess Leia? Obi-Wan? Han Solo? Padme Chewbacca? Jabba the Hutt? Every name will provoke a different response depending on how R2 feels about that particular character! Be sure to speak slowly and clearly and pause between your commands.
COMPANION MODE DIRECTIONS
In this beginning mode, R2-D2 is his usual friendly and playful self. He loves your companionship, and loves to respond to certain commands you give him. Stand or sit directly in front of R2 (ideally from about 2 feet, and no more than 6 feet, away), and speak clearly toward the speech sensor on the front of his body. (R2 will indicate that he is listening to you by blinking his red and blue LEDs together.)
Say: "Re-set system!"
R2 will return to the beginning of his Companion Mode.
R2-D2 will turn his head towards you and whistle to indicate he is ready for the next command! Remember: Always say "Hey, R2!" before giving him a command! Then, in no particular order, you can communicate with R2 by saying any of the following phrases:
Say: "Dont move!"
And hell remain stationary until you give him another command. (Otherwise, he may start roaming on his own!)
Say: "Go on patrol!"
And hell patrol the room for trouble. R2 will beep if he finds someone and wait for a command! If he beeps and no further commands are issued, hell keep on patrolling. (Again, be sure to keep him away from stairs during this function!)
Say: "Light beam!"
To turn his front beam on! Say it again to turn it off.
Say: "Play Message!"
And hell play a message that is stored in his memory banks from a past mission!
Say: "Be quiet!"
And hell execute his commands without beeping or whistling (except for his "yes" or "no" sounds to indicate that he has understood your commands)!
Say: "Speak up!"
And hell start talking again!

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Page 11

BEGIN OPERATION

POWERING UP: 1.) Flip the switch located in the bottom back of the unit to power up your R2 unit. 2.) R2-D2 will automatically calibrate his head position sensor by rotating his head. 3.) R2-D2s lights will blink alternately between red and blue as he warms up (about thirty
seconds), and then they will blink red and blue together. This indicates that the warm-up period is complete, and R2 is ready to receive commands. 4.) Once R2 is powered up, your droid is always on (unless you choose to turn him off manually)!

NAVIGATING R2

COMMAND MODE DIRECTIONS
The Command Mode is the most advanced of the three modes. It involves directing R2s movements and navigating him through courses and obstacles. The voice commands in this mode are more complex, and without clear direction R2-D2 can easily become confused. You should go into this mode only after youve familiarized yourself with the Companion and Game Modes.

Real-Time Maneuvering:

In Command Mode you give R2-D2 a series of commands then ask him to execute the series. Say "Hey, R2!" to start, then say "Command Mode!" Continue by giving him any one of the directions below. Finally, qualify your command by specifying a distance from one to five units: Turn around! (No distance command required) Go forward! (Then: One unit, two units up to five) Turn right! (Then: One unit, two units up to five) Turn left! (Then: One unit, two units up to five) Important Note: After each command, be sure to wait for R2s acknowledging beep before giving him the next command. For example: say Hey R2 {beep}, say Command mode! {beep}, say Go forward {beep}, say Three units! {beep}. R2 will carry out your command by moving in the direction and the distance you told him to! In this way, you can keep giving R2 individual commands to help him navigate tricky corners and obstacle-laden courses. (The length of each unit varies on different floors. Try different commands until you get a sense of how R2 moves on a particular floor covering.) If R2 is prevented from completing this command by an obstacle, he will abort the command and complain!
Wheel-Lock Control Master Power Control
"WHEEL-LOCK" SETTING:
When you first power up the R2 unit, the droid will remain in stationary "Wheel-Lock" mode until you press the button to release the wheels (press the same button when you want to lock the wheels again). Once the wheels are unlocked, he will move freely in response to your commands. When you want R2 to stand in place (for instance, for tabletop use), simply press the "Wheel-Lock" button located in the front center of the unit, as shown in illustration. When in this setting, the button will light up red to indicate that the wheels are locked. Press the same button again to release the wheel-lock setting.
Important Note: The treads on R2-D2s steering legs can navigate floors and most carpeting. However, we strongly recommend you use R2-D2 indoors only. Never use R2-D2 near stairs, unless the stairs are protected. R2-D2 is unable to detect or navigate stairs and may fall down stairs and become damaged if not protected. Use on tabletops only in the wheel-lock setting. R2-D2 may fall from table and become damaged if wheels are not locked. You can keep R2 out of trouble by placing simple barriers in his path like sheets of cardboard. As long as it is something solid and is as tall or taller than R2, his sonar will usually detect it.

-5-10-

Page 13

ASSEMBLY AND BATTERIES

R2-D2 will be ready for action after the following power up procedures:

R2 ON HIS OWN

"STANDBY" SETTING: 1.) R2 will automatically revert to his battery-conserving "Standby" setting if he is unable to find
someone to interact with for several minutes (for example, if he cant find anyone during Light Tag, or when hes on patrol). When reverting to this mode, his red LED will flash on and off, then turn off completely. While in Standby, R2 will "wake up" when you talk directly to him, when he senses motion in front of him, or when you tap him gently on the head. 2.) You may also put R2 into "Standby" setting directly by saying "Switch off!" when he is in Command Mode. 3.) If you will not be playing with R2-D2 for extended periods of time (more than two or three days), it is recommended that you manually turn his Master Power Control to the "OFF" position.
DROID ASSEMBLY: 1.) Snap the head/projector piece onto the main unit. 2.) Snap the side legs onto each side of the main unit. 3.) As an option, you may also remove the sensor array from the top of R2s dome and use the
included telescope piece to extend it from his head.
SENSOR ARRAY HEAD/PROJECT PIECE TELESCOPE

TROUBLESHOOTING:

If R2-D2 starts responding sluggishly, it is likely that his batteries need to be replaced. In general, if his motion is sluggish even on flat surfaces or his lights seem dim, the "D" batteries need to be replaced; most other types of trouble (sounds, recognition) indicate that the "AA" batteries need replacement. If R2 shuts off during play, or right after you turn him on, replace the "AA" batteries. Bright light, or temperatures above 77 F or below 65 F, may disorient R2; under these conditions, he may have trouble seeing and finding people as usual. If you place an object in R2-D2s utility arm that is too large or too heavy, he will not be able to move properly; simply remove the item, and he will return to normal function. If any of R2s parts (for instance, his steering legs) come off during play or when he is dropped, simply follow the assembly instructions in this manual to re-assemble the part(s). If you need help, please call 1-800-327-8264, or visit www.starwars.hasbro.com

STEERING LEG STEERING LEG
Keep in R2s cargo hold for quick reference.

Command Card

Page 15

TECH SPECS

Table of Contents
Introduction.Page 2 Assembly and Batteries.Page 3-4 Begin Operation.Page 5 Getting Started.Page 6 Detailed Description.Page 7-8 Companion Mode.Page 7-8
Industrial Automaton has adjusted your R2 unit with many new features and functions for use on Earth.
Game Play with R2.Page 9 Navigating R2.Page 10-11 R2 On His Own.Page 12 Troubleshooting.Page 12 Using R2-D2s Utility Arm.Page 13 Tech Specs.Page 14
1. NAVIGATION SENSORS (WITH SOUND PROCESSING MICROPHONES AND SONAR; THESE HELP R2 "SEE" AND LOCATE OBJECTS) 2. INFRARED LOCATION SENSORS (FOR DETECTING LIFEFORMS) 3. VOICE RECOGNITION RESPONSE MODULE (HOW R2 "HEARS"; TALK INTO HERE!) 4. CARGO HOLD 5. STORAGE AREA (KEEP YOUR "COMMAND CARD" IN HERE!) 6. WHEEL LOCK CONTROL (FOR WHEN YOU WANT R2 TO REMAIN STATIONARY) 7. MOTORIZED, INDOOR-TERRAIN TREADS (HELP R2 NAVIGATE WOOD FLOORS, TILE FLOORS AND MOST CARPETING!) 8. SLEEK ROTATING DOME (CAN TURN ALMOST 360 DEGREES!) 9. CENTER LEG 10. ILLUMINATING LIGHT BEAM 11. INTERGALACTIC BEVERAGE HOLDER/UTILITY ARM (DESIGNED TO HOLD A 12-OUNCE BEVERAGE CAN) 12. ADAPTABLE DROID MOOD STATUS INDICATOR (RED AND BLUE LEDS INDICATE R2S MOOD) 13. STEERING LEGS 14. MASTER POWER CONTROL (MANUAL ON/OFF SWITCH; R2 ALSO FEATURES AUTOMATIC "STANDBY" MODE TO CONSERVE BATTERY LIFE)

The R2 Builders Club

From left to right: Disneyworlds R2-D2, R2-KT, and ILMs R2-D2.

by K. Stiles Howard

Adherents to the Jedi way closely follow an ancient code that guides their actions in the service of the Republic. It reads, in part: There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force.1 42

SERVO 05.2008

and the Jedi Code
bout nine years ago, in this galaxy, in a continent far, far away from North America, Australian Dave Everett began an Internet-based Star Wars fan club, which he named the R2 Builders Club (R2BC). Established for people interested in building 1:1-scale R2-D2s, the R2BC has evolved into an online community of more than 6,600 members worldwide (http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders/). Once created, these R-series astromech droids do not merely sit around gathering dust. Quite the contrary, they live very active lives, joining their humans in performing service projects that raise money for charitable organizations and educate children about science, computer technology, engineering, and robotics.
It is from the ranks of the Jedi Masters that the High Council is chosen.1
Committed to creating a community of R2-D2 Builders, as well as
Star Wars, R2-D2, R2-R9, the Jedi Order, and the Jedi Code are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. R2-KT is a fan-built project and not authorized by Lucasfilm as a recognized character. Star Wars, its characters, creations, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. (c)2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

. and the Jedi Code

fostering the construction of high-quality replica robots, founder Everett was determined that the club put measures in place to ensure parts compatibility and also safeguard against profiteering. This prompted a brilliant and inspired move: the assemblage of a Builders Council. This five-person council approves each and every one of the clubs parts suppliers. These suppliers who are also members of the group work from R2BCs official blueprints and offer all their robot parts at cost.
It is not a venture to be undertaken lightly. As such, Jedi instruction is rigidly structured and codified to enforce discipline and hinder transgression.1
The official blueprints for building R-series astromech droid replicas were developed by early members of the R2BC. This research and design phase lasted a couple of years. Everett recruited a small group of Builders to assist him in this endeavor. They collected measurements from Star Wars exhibits and dimensions from actual droids. These Builders then used this information to draft blueprints and perform test builds. They created their initial R2-D2 replicas by hand and adjusted the blueprints as needed. This process enabled them to make sure all the pieces fit together. The accuracy of the resulting blueprints provided the group with standardized plans, which ensures the uniformity of the robot parts made by Builders, as well as parts suppliers. So, if an R2 Builder in Paris, TX bought a pair of aluminum outer ankle brackets from an approved supplier in Paris, France, those French brackets would be compatible with that Texans other aluminum robot parts. (To read more about how the R2BC official blueprints benefited a German fellow who was creating an R2 on his own, visit www.r2-d2.de/index5.htm/.) When enough R2BC members post to the group expressing interest in a particular robot part, an approved supplier will offer a parts run. First, the supplier collects payment from all interested parties. Then, the supplier pays a shop (for example, a machine shop) to make the part that has been requested. The supplier also submits contact information for the chosen shop and that runs buyers to the Builders Council. Longtime R2BC member Craig Smith explains: The R2BC does not offer complete R2-D2s for sale. Group parts that are available from time to time are made by Builders for Builders as a hobby. The parts are not mass produced for profit, and no kits are available. Once a particular batch of parts is created, the supplier ships those parts to the Builders who ordered them. The duration of a parts run can vary from weeks to months even years, in some cases. Soon after the shipments are made, cheers of glee are emitted around the globe as Builders collect their newly crafted parts from their porches. At approximately the same time (particularly if the shipped parts are aluminum), UPS and Fed-Ex carriers the world over

A father and daughter meet R2-KT. R2-KT in all her glory.

The R2 Builders Club.

can be heard grumbling about lower back pain.
As the Jedi mature, the apprentice is paired with a master to continue the next phase of the training.
So, how does the R2 Builders Club online community work? When Builders have difficulties say, locating a part, figuring out the blueprints, deciding which foot motor to use, or simply wondering where to begin they post to the group, and they get answers. Of the groups 6,600+ members, only 100 or so actively post to the group. Longtime members delight in coaching new members on the process of building these replica robots. Master astromech Builder Jerry JAG Greene enjoys helping out fellow club members. One of the first dozen members of the group, founder Dave Everett recruited JAG to assist him in creating the official R2BC blueprints. Needless to say, Jerry has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all R2 related topics. JAGs advice to new R2 Builders is Have fun. Dont stress out about it. The R2BC includes design engineers, helicopter pilots, and machinists. If you dont know how to do something, someone in the group will.
To become a Jedi requires the deepest commitment and most serious mind.
R2-D2 may be diminutive in size (with a height of 0.96 meters or 32), but building a 1:1 scale replica of its likeness is no small feat. It requires an enormous time commitment, some disposable income, meticulous research, and tireless dedication. It also helps to have supportive family and friends. Another necessary component is the realization that this enterprise cannot be done alone. Each member of the R2BC needs this group its standardized blueprints, its expertise, its parts runs, its camaraderie to see this task to completion. Craig Smith advises prospective members about the amount of time it takes to create a droid: R2 built from scratch or built from club parts is not a quick project. It will take months to complete a static, non-moving display even years for a motorized version. When I look at the parts on my droid, I recall the week it took to make the shoulders, the days it took to make the ankle covers, the days it took to re-make the ankles themselves because I did not offset them correctly. And there are dozens more parts on the droid with similar
R2 built from scratch or built from club parts is not a quick project. It will take months to complete a static, non-moving display even years for a motorized version.
memories. A project such as this is a huge commitment! I spoke with Jerry Greene by phone one recent Saturday afternoon. The first droid he built was a replica of R2-R9, which is red and silver. According to JAGs website (www.r2-r9.com/), R2-R9 made a brief appearance in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. While serving aboard Queen Amidalas Royal Starship as a repair droid, he was shot off the hull during a repair. It took Jerry three years to build his first droid. I asked him about the average time and financial investment involved in building an allaluminum R2-D2. He responded, About two years and around $9,000 about the cost of a nice, mid-sized car. Needless to say, if youre going to spend that much time and that much money building a droid, it doesnt hurt to have a healthy sense of humor. However, it doesnt have to cost an arm and a leg to build well, an arm and a leg. Astromech droids can be built using any sort of material imaginable. Whatever medium one can afford, has available, and feels comfortable using can be fashioned into a lovable R2-D2. Many R2 Builders pride themselves in building on the cheap. The club has even offered workshops on Droid Building on a Budget. Heres what longtime R2 Builders Club member Craig Smith has to say on the range of astromech-building media that hes seen used: The most impressive droids Ive seen are almost 100% home built. For the body, Ive seen skins on frames in both aluminum and plastic even wood. Rolled aluminum cylinder, fiberglass and, of course, 18 PVC pipe have been used. The method of building a droid directly reflects what materials a Builder is comfortable working with. As for what an astromech droid can do, that is a matter only its Builder can decide. According to the R2 Builders Club brochure, some people start out by making a static droid to display at home or at work. After building one droid and gaining some confidence, a Builder might get more adventurous. Some club members create remote control droids that emit sounds and have blinking lights. An experienced R2 Builder like Smith can create a droid that can do very impressive tricks indeed. I have three astromechs that are R/C and do the show-stopping 2-3-2 leg transformation. Lucasfilm had one filming unit that could go into the three-leg mode via an air piston with locks at the end of the function, but it could not go back into the two-leg position. My systems use electric motors that are geared down to provide much-needed torque to control the transitions. Limit switches at the ends of the functions stop the transitions where they need to. My design has improved from one droid to the next. So, naturally, I left my latest droid without coverings so people

can see how the final design works. As for how to power an R/C astromech, apparently, there is some very fancy footwork involved. Smith offers the following recommendations: I cannot say enough good things about the Robot Power Scorpion XL dual-speed controller for the foot drives. This little $120 unit learns your radio, shuts down in signal loss, has dual or single-stick control, direct output throttle, or sweep exponential control (and has a) battery eliminator that powers the receiver. I have not heard of one fried controller in the field as of yet. For foot motors, many (R2 Builders) were using surplus motors and finding ways to adapt them to a good gear ratio wheeled drive. But since the electric scooters have become popular, one can afford to buy a pair of scooters and hack/modify the frame to fit in the foot. Scooter parts are also now hitting the surplus and aftermarket parts suppliers. One can get a pre-fab drive system that goes much faster for way cheaper today than the options we had just a few years ago. Members of the R2 Builders Club enjoy meeting other Builders in person, and there are many opportunities for them to do so. There are regional groups, such as the New England (NE) Builders (www.r2-r9.com/Gallery_ R2-MA.html) and the Midwest Builders (http://stevesr2. blogspot.com/2007/08/so-this-saturday-was-annualmid-west-r2.html), who gather from time to time. Regional R2 Builders groups may meet up at one area Builders shop to make parts or just spend time together. The NE Builders get together every six months or so. Someone will have a barbecue and the Builders will swap stories and catch up with each others news. For larger gatherings of Builders, there are always comic book conventions and fan-based conferences (for example, Star Wars Celebrations (www.starwars.com/celebration/), San Diego Comic Con (www.comic-con.org/cci/), and Dragon Con (www.dragoncon.org/)). At such events, R2BC members exhibit their droids, lead panel discussions, and hold workshops. Celebration III featured 50 fan-built droids on display. George Lucas even viewed the R2 replicas at that event, much to the delight of the Builders. Over the years, the R2 Builders Club has also developed a unique relationship with Lucasfilm Limited George Lucas production company and the creative force behind the Star Wars movies. When I asked Jerry Greene to characterize Lucasfilms relationship with R2BC, he said, As long as we play nice, they leave us alone. Well, apparently they do play nice, because Lucasfilm has called on an R2 Builder or two from time to time to ask a favor and, on at least one occasion, to grant a favor. According to Wookiepedia, the Star Wars wiki (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page), the R2BCs official club logo was adopted by the Lucasfilm R2-D2 Unit for their crew gear during the filming of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones in Australia. Needless to say, the clubs members were thrilled at this nod to their work. Greene also informed me that Lucasfilm has contacted R2 Builders in the New York City and Los Angeles areas to request that their astromech droids make appearances at movie premieres. For a Star Wars fan and R2 replica builder, attending a premiere at the behest of Lucasfilm must be a dream come true. A red carpet event must prove a most exciting venue in which to show off an astromech droid that was years in the making. Greene also commented that Don Bies, a Modelmaker and R2-D2 Operator for Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) who has worked on several Star Wars movies, is a member of the R2 Builders Club (see www.donbies.com/bio.htm). When Bies needed a spun aluminum, laser-cut, R2 dome to use in Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, he knew who to call: Master R2-Dome Creator and fellow R2BC member Ron Barkley. Rons dome appears in a scene in which an R2 units dome is ripped off of a ship. No matter how brief the scene, I have little doubt that R2 Builders the world over are immensely proud of it.

The Jedi are a noble order of protectors unified by their belief and observance of the Force.2
To say that Albin Johnson is an active member of the Star Wars community would be a vast understatement. Albin is the founder of Vaders Fist: 501st Legion (The Worlds Definitive Imperial Costuming Organization). His 501st Legion not only entertains Star Wars fans during their appearances, this group works year-round to raise money for charitable organizations worldwide. Albin is greatly admired and respected for his devotion to his family, as well as his
R2BC droids on display at Celebration IV.
desire to make a positive impact in the world. And so it was devastating to all who know Alvin and his family when they learned that his six-year-old daughter Katie had a brain tumor. A bright and shining star to all who knew her, Katies friends and family were deeply saddened by this news. While attending a church service with his family shortly after his daughters diagnosis, Albin had a lightbulb moment. According to the R2-KT website (www.r2kt.com/): Albin noticed something funny about the sanctuarys windows. Call it a sign, call it Al not paying attention in church, but the window looked eerily like an R2 unit and it gave him an idea: Why not build an R2 to watch over Katie as she slept (just like R2-D2 watched over Padme in Episode II)? Katies older sister Allie went one step further: Why not paint it pink and name it after Katie: R2-KT? An idea was born. In April of 2005, Albin discovered the R2 Builders Club. Upon hearing of Albins intentions to build his courageous and wonderful daughter a pink R2-D2, the group was eager to help him realize this goal. Given that an R2 Builders first droid can take years to complete, it was clear to the group that something unprecedented would need to occur in order for R2-KT to take shape. Greene suggested that the R2 Builders Club build an allaluminum R2-KT and donate it to the Johnson family. Greene offered to orchestrate this group build and assemble the droid himself. Albin graciously and humbly gave the club permission to proceed. Shortly thereafter, Jerry began creating sketches of R2-KT and posting requests to the group to donate the parts he would need to build this one-of-a-kind, pink astromech droid. The response was overwhelming. While the group set about building an all-aluminum R2-KT, R2BC member Andy Schwartz did something quite extraordinary, as well. He disassembled his own R2-D2, painted all of the blue sections pink, put it back together again, and arranged for this original R2-KT to be delivered to the Johnsons home. This act of generosity allowed Katie to have her very own pink astromech droid to keep her company and lift her spirits. After a brave fight, Katie Johnson passed away on August 9, 2005. Her family, her friends, and the Star Wars community mourned her loss. The R2 Builders Club decided to continue building R2-KT as a memorial to this wonderful girl. It was an emotional process for everyone involved. Eager to express their compassion for this family, dozens of R2 Builders from around the globe donated astromech parts to the R2-KT project. Over the next year, box after box of donated parts arrived at Greenes Rhode Island home, where he worked tirelessly in his basement studio to assemble this unique droid. (Visit JAGs Project R2-KT website at www.r2r9.com/Project%20R2-KT.html to read a chronology of the build and see images of all this robots parts.) By July 2006, R2-KT was complete. Greene and the R2 Builders Club constructed this adorable, circus pink and white astromech droid in record time, taking little more than one year from start to finish. Once the robot was complete, Greene and his girlfriend, Lisa, loaded R2-KT in their minivan and took it on its first adventure. Jerry and Lisa drove

R2-KT as a

The R2 Builders Club decided to continue building
memorial to this wonderful girl.
More R2BC droids on display at Celebration IV.
seven hours from Rhode Island to the annual Shoreleave Star Trek convention in Hunt Valley, MD. The reason for this journey: to deliver R2-KT to the Johnson family. Schwartz and other members of the R2 Builders Club joined Jerry and Lisa at the convention, where they met Albin, his wife Kathy, and their daughters Allie and Emily. On behalf of the R2 Builders Club, R2-KT was presented to the Johnson family as a gift. Albeit an emotional meeting, it was also a beautiful, loving celebration of young Katies life. And that was only the beginning of R2-KTs adventures. Like her fellow R-series replica robots and the members of the 501st Legion, this little droid has a mission. Not only that she has a mission statement. According to the R2-KT website (www.r2kt.com/): R2-KTs mission is to entertain children, raise awareness of pediatric cancer, and raise money for such charities as Make-A-Wish and Childrens Cancer Fund. In November 2006, R2-KT participated in her first toy drive. Appearing alongside the 501st Legion and the United States Marine Corps at a Toys-for-Tots drive at a Toys R Us store in Columbia, SC, R2-KT was a huge hit. In February 2007, R2-KT brightened the day for patients and staff at Palmetto Richland Childrens Hospital, where Katie Johnson received treatment. And it seems that this lovable droid is not only cute, shes smart, too. In March of that year, R2-KT went to college. She accompanied the Johnson clan at Albins alma mater for the University of South Carolinas FIRST Robotics Competition. She proved vastly entertaining to the children in attendance, and she also (with Albins help, no doubt) offered instruction on robotics. For his courage, Artoo was personally thanked and recognized by Queen Amidala.3 In early 2007, the Hasbro toy company contacted Albin. Hasbro and Lucasfilm had heard of R2-KT, and they were partnering to create a limited edition action figure in her likeness. Lucasfilm invited the Johnson family and R2-KT to attend the Celebration IV Star Wars convention in Los Angeles, CA. Hasbro and Lucasfilms official announcement of the R2-KT action figure occurred on May 25, 2007, the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of Star Wars. Available exclusively at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con, hasbrotoyshop.com, and starwarsonline, all proceeds from R2-KT sales were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundations of San Diego and South Carolina. The projected benefits exceeded $100,000. Since the R2-KT project, the R2 Builders Club continues building accurate replicas of R-series robots. And even though engineering and computer technology are major components of these models, these creations are also gorgeous works of art. Although, technically, they are reproductions of robot models made for a series of blockbuster movies, they represent much more than that. These R2s represent the joys and complexities of childhood. They celebrate the seemingly limitless expanse of the

R2BC droids line up to be admired at Celebration IV.

Resources

http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders/ http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/R2_Builders_Club www.r2-r9.com www.r2kt.com www.carolina501st.com/content R2BCBrochure.pdf www.astromech.net www.starwars.com/databank/updates/news20010613.html www.starwars.com/databank/organization/thejediorder www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2 http://starwarsmovies.net/star-wars-news/the-jedi-code http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/R2-KT http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/501st_Legion_%28 organization%29 R-Series, Issues 1, 2, and 3 edited by Cory Pacione and Dan Baker
excellence. The excellent craftsmanship of the R2 Builders Clubs robot replicas, the groups success in thwarting profiteering, as well as its contributions to educational outreach programs and charitable organizations may have played a role in opening the door to a mutually respectful relationship with Lucasfilm. Well never know for certain. When founder Everett established the Builders Council, he had no way of knowing that he was setting the stage for a project in which dozens of builders from around the planet would donate robot parts to create a unique astromech droid to honor one very special girl. During the restructuring of the Jedi Order by the now Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker, a new code was established for easier interpretation for the newer generation of Jedi. The code retained the same core beliefs as the millennia old code, rewritten for better understanding. Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy. Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others. Jedi respect all life, in any form.
human imagination. And these adorable little astromech droids offer us a glimpse into what is possible when human beings work diligently, share knowledge, and strive for
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy. Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.4 At a recent educational outreach event, Jerry Greene had the honor of introducing his R2-R9 to a blind Star Wars fan. Having often wondered what an R2 unit looked like, this 12-year-old boy was overjoyed to be in the presence of an astromech droid, be allowed to explore its entire surface, and be able to experience all of its tactile qualities. For Greene, having an opportunity such as this to quietly observe as a fellow human being embraces the opportunity to experience his world in an entirely new way all the time, research, money, and effort invested in building an R2 unit just melts away into space. To read a profile of an R2BC member who is crafting an all-aluminum astromech droid and see images of hand-milled robot parts this Builder has created, check out Vern Graners Personal Robotics column in the May issue of Nuts & Volts Magazine. SV

REFERENCES [1] www.starwars.com/databank/updates/news20010613.html [2] www.starwars.com/databank/organization/thejediorder/ [3] www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/ [4] http://starwarsmovies.net/star-wars-news/the-jedi-code/

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Vern Graner, Jeff Green, Craig Smith, and Chris Simonds for their inspiration and guidance; Guy Vardaman, Bob, and all the R2 Builders who supplied me with images; James Delaney and Jennifer for help with graphics; Anna and Lici for their encouragement.