P2-series Astromech Droid

Background

The P2-series astromech line was Industrial Automaton's first astromech droid, what would become the prototype for the later R2-series. Design glitches were common in these units, including a poorly-coded maneuverability routine that made the P2 ungainly. Nevertheless, they were very popular among merchant fleets during the waning years of the Galactic Republic, though their size meant they were usually employed on medium or larger freighters.

Capabilities

P2 units were 2.3 meters tall astromech droids with three wheeled legs, a rotating head dome, and retractable manipulator arms, with a buzz saw and laser cutter that made it handy for repair work. The design was not successful at this point; the P2 droids were cumbersome, sluggish, clumsy, and slow to learn. The droids were fitted with primitive Intellex II ship-configuration computers, and were able to communicate only through the use of its video display screen or computer link. Design glitches were common in these units, including a poorly-coded maneuverability routine that made the P2 ungainly.