Adam's R2-D2 Droid


Well after building two Daleks I set about making another one of my boyhood desires come true, to own a working R2-D2 droid from the epic film series Star Wars. It took about a year and a half to make and assemble all the parts, but now I have finally completed him. My droid is fully remote controlled, he is able to drive forward at a good pace, certainly faster than walking speed. The dome spins completly around at a speed of up to one revolution a second. The top utility arm is able to open and close via remote too. He has working lights on the dome and makes a whole range to 'R2' sounds including the whole 'Help me Obi Wan Kenobi' speech by Leia. The dome and body are aluminium, the legs are plywood and the feet are fiberglass. He weighs in at 67.8Kg or about 150lbs. He is powered by two large 12v batteries that will allow hin to run about all day on a single charge. AS for what is next, well I've already started on my nest project - B9 from Lost in Space.

3rd Norwich Film and Sci-Fi Collectors Fair Nov 1st 2009
This was his second public outing and we were lucky enough to meet the actor Kenny Baker, who was inside the real R2-D2 in the StarWars movies. Kenny complimented me on building R2 and he then very kindly signed the back of it, just under the main switches. I couldn't have hoped for more.

London Expo - ExCel Center London Oct 24th 2009
The first public outing for R2. I had a few small problems with the sounds being too quiet, but overall he was very well received and got loads of hugs from his fans.