From: AVRK90@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Kevin Cox)
Subject: R2-D2 Schematics
Organization: Motorola
Date: 28 Dec 1992 17:46:40 MST

ARTOO DETOO - SERIAL #: R2-D2/Y477Q90
              DROID CLASS: Utility
              TYPE: Astromech
              OWNER: Luke Skywalker
              PROGRAMMING: Starship Maintenance/Repair Technician,
                           Class A
              CONSTRUCTION: Imperial Cybernetics Corporation

DESCRIPTION: height - 1.25 meters
             weight - 544 kilos
             finish - duralloy plating

Tripedal, a squat cylinder capped with a dome swivelling 360 degrees.
A mobile computer with extensive servomechanisms, Artoo units are
designed for efficient and uninterrupted operation under a variety of
condition, and have a high tedium threshold.  Able to operate in vacuum
and zero gravity as effectively as in a pressurized environment, the
Artoo unit is ideal for all manner of routine tasks; it is often used as
a fieldhand on agricultural planets.  R2-D2 models converse in a
highly-compressed form of electronic language, which must be interpreted
by a Translator droid before it can be understood by humans.  The R2-D2
droid has little capability for dealing directly with humans.The dome
contains a single radar eye, surrounded by an array of computer
indicators and infrared receptors; also included is a holographic
projector, as this type of droid is also used as a shipboard courier to
personally deliver messages from planet to planet.  The cylindrical body
is equipped with a variety of multi-purpose appendages, including an
information storage/retrieval jack (the R2 model is designed to operate
in conjunction with a master computer bank); a fire-extinguisher spray
unit; and various tools for repair and maintenance work.The Artoo unit
can convey himself over smooth surfaces on two motorized treads; for
rougher terrain, a third tread extends from a pocket in the body, and
the unit is tilted to take advantage of the tripodal support.
HISTORY: R2-D2 model utility droids are carried aboard all but the
smallest space vessels; this series was constructed by the Imperial
monopoly, and shipped to the Outland spaceport on Dantooine.  Artoo was
assigned to routine spaceport maintenance duties for several months.
When the Imperial export tax on all droids was announced, Artoo was
smuggled aboard an Alderaan Royal Cruiser--facing imminent boarding by
stormtroopers, Artoo received priority program instruction from the
Princess Leia Organa, who naturally had access to the droid's override
security codes.  She instructed Artoo to seek out Obiwan Kenobi,
formerly an officer in her father's service, and to deliver to him
certain rebel transmissions.  The story, already chronicled at some
length, is that Artoo--accompanied by a C-3PO model interpreter, who
struck up an unusual and even affectionate relationship with the utility
droid--did successfully deliver the vital transmissions to the Rebel
base on Yavin.  Although Artoo was instructed by the Princess that he
was the property of General Kenobi, following his mysterious death the
droid became Luke Skywalkers.
CONDITION: Artoo received extensive carbon scoring in the battle between
the rebel ship and the Imperial Cruiser; although he was able to land
safely in a ship's escape pod, Artoo was soon discovered and roughly
abducted by Jawas.  Artoo was not seriously damaged in either fray, and
the Princess' programming still compelled him to seek out General Kenobi
and deliver the message through him to the rebel fortress.In the Battle
of the Death Star, Artoo served as an ambulatory repair droid on a rebel
fighter, and suffered a direct hit from a Tie fighter energy bolt;
fortunately, the motivator and other vital components remained intact,
and the technicians on Yavin were able to restore him to prime
condition.The unusual loyalty and dedication of purpose observed in this
unit is due, no doubt, to the demanding task set for it by the Princess;
such qualities are rarely found in the single-minded and utilitarian
R2-D2 model.