Q - series droideka The Q - series droideka was a model of destroyer droid employed by the Confederacy of Independent Systems . It was used mainly during the Clone Wars , and was produced by the Phlac - Arphocc Automata Industries . It served on various capital ships , such as the " Invisible Hand " . It also proved to be a lethal asset on the battlefield with its personal energy shield , but became vulnerable , like other droideka models , if rolling along on the battlefront , as their shield could not be activated during this time . They were mainly used by the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems . The CIS were able to receive special discounts on these droids by bribing the carnivorous Colicoids , the creators of the droideka , with meat . Characteristics . The Q - series droidekas were more formidable than the Trade Federation ' s many B1 battle droids for several reasons . They were able to transform into a wheel - like configuration , allowing rapid movement and compact storage . When they encountered their targets , the bronzium - armored droids would unfold into a tripodal weapons platform , equipped with powerful , built - in twin blasters and often personal shield generators . These shield generators could endure much punishment , and were capable of deflecting or absorbing any manner of firepower up to a light artillery bolt , as well as lightsaber blades and physical attacks , among other weaponry . Additionally , the effectiveness of these droids was bolstered by the lack of true photoreceptors ; instead , droidekas utilized non - visual composite radiation sensors , less likely to be distracted by mere light - based trickery . Droideka dispenser s were sometimes used as transport and dispense for these droids . They were capable of deploying droidekas right into a combat zone , and proved a nuisance to enemy troops for this reason . This model of droideka was an upgrade of the W - series droideka . There were not very many differences in design , except for a shinier coating which was also a darker shade of red , as well as slightly increased firepower in the Q - series droideka . The new series also did not overheat as quickly as previous versions . A number of Q - series droidekas served aboard the " Invisible Hand " during the Battle of Coruscant . Two fired at Jedi Master Obi - Wan Kenobi and his former Padawan , Anakin Skywalker , on the ship , however , the two Jedi escaped by entering an elevator . Design flaws . Despite being a very formidable droid , the droideka had one major design flaw . Its shield was designed to enclose the droideka in a standing position , but if the droid was to be knocked on its side or against a wall , the shield would have no way of distinguishing the wall or floor from a blaster rifle or lightsaber . This meant that the shield generator had to continue supplying energy to the shield , resulting in an overload , as demonstrated during the rescue on the " Invisible Hand " . The shorted - out shield generator would leave the droideka vulnerable . Also , in the rolling position , the droideka ' s shield could not be activated , leaving it vulnerable while rolling from place to place . They were made after the failed grappling droideka design . Droidekas had a hard time maneuvering on downward slopes and climbing up stairs . In their rolling configuration , they would have to go back quite a bit and then speed up , launching themselves up the stairs . They could also try to traverse stairs in walking configuration , although it was extremely hard for them to coordinate their three legs on stairs . Additionally , this droideka model , like the others , could not fire at targets in close proximity because its blasters were too far spread out . History . The original design of this droideka was made by the insectoid Colicoids of Colla IV , who were displeased by the limitations of Baktoid Combat Automata ' s basic B1 battle droids , and chiefly manufactured there . The Confederacy of Independent Systems used trading in rare meats as a way to ease bargaining with the ravenously carnivorous Colicoids , and were able to get special rates on this normally very costly droid model . Before the Federation ' s defeat after the Invasion of Naboo , the original droid model was usually slaved to a central computer . This technique fell out of favor in the aftermath of said battle , when they would function independently as the B2 super battle droids did . However , the droidekas on Colla IV were not slaved to a central computer , making them independent . This made them much more expensive and deadlier . The Q - series droidekas operated independently as well , which was another one of their assets . They , like most other droideka models before them , were able to operate without being slaved to a central computer . During the early years of the Galactic Empire , many of these droidekas were used by Gizor Dellso in the Battle of Mustafar . All were destroyed when the Empire bombarded the planet . Behind the scenes . According to the DVD commentary of " " , a droideka ' s blaster is meant to sound similar to those of an All Terrain Armored Transport . This includes the Q - series droideka .