R1-series astromech droid/Legends
The R1-series astromech droid, also known as the R1 reactor drone, was Industrial Automaton's first production model of their new consumer-market R-series astromech droid line.
Characteristics
The R1-series integrated and improved on the developments of the P2-series prototype astromech, and was an improvement over the P2, despite its unconventional appearance. To save on research, development, and retooling costs, Industrial Automaton reused the jet black body shells from its long running Mark II reactor drone. The dense shielding of the heavy shell gave the R1 protection against intense radiation. The droid moved about via a treaded unipod, which was slow and often malfunctioned, causing a frequent lack of locomotion.
The center of the R1's design was the Intellex III computer brain, which contained a comprehensive catalog of 500 starship configurations. In addition, the R1 was the first Industrial Automaton astromech able to calculate complex navigational coordinates necessary to complete a single hyperspace jump. It was common for R1 units to be used in the hyperdrive sleds of CloakShape fighters.
History
Stationed on freighters
Due to its cumbersome size, although the R1 was still an adequate improvement over the Mark II, R1s were commonly stationed aboard capital ships and large freighters.
Usage
The droid's array of retractable tools made the droids useful technicians, but owners often complained of their obstinate personalities and unreliable method of locomotion. Industrial Automaton promised to address all these issues in their next model, the R2-series.
Impact
The recycled construction of the R1 did not give off the impression of sophisticated electronics, but Industrial Automaton did use the model to introduce Binary to the market, which became the standard for all inter-droid communications, which caused the R1 to have a lasting impact on the droid market.
Appearances
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance)
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel (First identified as R1 reactor drone)
- A More Wretched Hive: The Mos Eisley Cantina
"Spare Parts" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 11
"Easy Money" – The Politics of Contraband- "Easy Money" – Classic Adventures
- The New Rebellion
Sources
- The Star Wars Album (Picture only)
1977 Topps Star Wars Series 3 (Card: The Jawas) (backup link) (Picture only)- 1977 Topps Star Wars Series 3 (Card: Luke's uncle buys Threepio!) (backup link) (Picture only)
- Star Wars Official Poster Monthly 9 (Picture only)
- 1978 Topps Star Wars Series 4 (Card: The Jawas ready their new merchandise) (backup link) (Picture only)
- Artoo Detoo's Activity Book (Picture only)
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
- Dark Empire Sourcebook
- Galladinium's Fantastic Technology
- "The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7 (As "R1 astrodroid" and "R1 Astromech Droid")
- Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections (As reactor drone)
- Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive
- The Essential Guide to Droids ("P2 and R1")
Notes and references
- ↑ Cynabar's Fantastic Technology: Droids specifies that astromech droids are second-degree droids.
External links
R1 Unit on Hyperspace (content removed from StarWars.com; backup link)