R3-series Astromech Droid

Background

Part of the R-series of droids from Industrial Automaton,[2] the R3 was Industrial Automaton's followup to the smash success of the R2-series astromech droid, a model whose popularity and sales had exceeded all expectations and catapulted IA to the top-tier of droid development companies occupied by the likes of Arakyd, Cybot Galactica, and Rebeton Kl'ian.[24] For their next entry in the series, IA's management tasked its engineers with one goal: take the R2 and improve on it. IA's droid designers decided to make the new model the capital warship's and battle station's answer to the starfighter-based R2 unit. The new droid received programming in gunnery repair and security protocols, as well as capital ship repair.

Capabilities

The R3 upgraded from the R2's Intellex IV to the more sophisticated Intellex V. Although the designers kept much of the R2's basic body design to cut costs, they realized that the Intellex V would be a key selling point, replacing the R2's solid dome with one of clear plastex as a marketing ploy to showcase the new hardware and boost the scope and sensitivity of its sensors. The R3 otherwise followed the R2's bright-trim-on-white-metal color scheme. Its sensor package was equally impressive, with a full-spectrum transceiver and electromagnetic, heat, motion, and life form indicators. The droid also had a fully maneuverable video sensor, deployed from its domed head, allowing it to inspect enclosed spaces or peer over obstacles.

The droid's outer shell concealed an array of tools beneath its streamlined durasteel exterior. Each R3 came equipped from the factory with two manipulator arms, an electric arc welder, circular saw, computer scomp link arm, VicksVisc holographic recorder/projector unit, internal cargo compartment, and a general-use fire extinguisher.