E - 3PO E - 3PO units were a subset of the 3PO - series protocol droid line . Developed for Imperial use , E - 3POs possessed the TechSpan I propriety module , which allowed them to interface with a wide variety of networks employed by the Galactic Empire . Their obscure and rare status led to E - 3PO units developing arrogant , superior , and haughty attitudes , which would gain them a degree of notoriety throughout the galaxy . During the Galactic Civil War , the E - 3PO production line on Mechis III was commandeered by the megalomaniac assassin droid IG - 88A . Supplanting their standard programming with his own sleeper version , IG - 88A had the E - 3PO droids serve as his spies throughout the galaxy as part of his Droid Revolution . While normally , the new programming would eventually become evident , the natural demeanor of the E - 3POs masked it . Functions and capabilities . A subset of the 3PO - series protocol droid model , E - 3PO units possessed the TechSpan I module , which allowed them to interface with Imperial networks . It also allowed them to interact with rare or obscure technologies produced by Imperial subcontractors . The E - 3PO units , greatly limited and highly expensive , were aware of their prestigious status , and the awareness was , in turn , reflected in their metaprogramming . In time , E - 3PO units would exhibit a superior attitude , and haughty behavior . In keeping with their limited numbers , E - 3PO units rarely applied identifiers to their serial number , often just going by the name of " E - 3PO . " History . The E - 3PO line of protocol droids was produced during the Galactic Civil War on the factory world of Mechis III . Given the TechSpan I technology , their purpose was to interact with many different kinds of disparate Imperial networks . In time , the E - 3PO units became aware of their own exclusivity , and became notoriously brusque and rude by protocol droid standards . That flaw in their personality and programming inspired IG - 88A to use the E - 3POs as his spies throughout the galaxy to help implement his Droid Revolution . His own sleeper programming , which caused personality aberrations , was masked by the natural temperament of the E - 3PO . Modifying the droids on Mechis III , he dispatched scores of Imperial commissioned droids throughout the galaxy , with their alterations totally unknown to their owners . Following the first demise of Emperor Palpatine during the Battle of Endor and the subsequent rise of the New Republic , New Republic Intelligence Service agents were able to acquire an E - 3PO unit that had served on Cloud City , Bespin . Unfortunately for the agents , the E - 3PO ' s TechSpan I module had been removed . E - 3PO units in the galaxy . During the early stages of the Galactic Civil War , an E - 3PO droid served aboard the PLY - 3500 " Nova ' s Heart " , a space yacht that was owned by the holostar Javul Charn . The droid acted as the vessel ' s steward and when the smuggler Dash Rendar and his associate Eaden Vrill were invited aboard the ship in 2 BBY to act as bodyguards to Charn , the E - 3PO droid greeted the pair and showed them to their quarters aboard the yacht . Originally assigned to Darth Vader ' s Death Squadron , one particular E - 3PO unit was transferred to Cloud City , where he served as a translator for Ugnaught engineers . In 3 ABY , he was able to assist IG - 88B , by passing on information about the rival bounty hunter Boba Fett , who was present on Cloud City . The Cloud City - based E - 3PO would later have his TechSpan I module removed by an engineer that had tired of his miserable and abrasive attitude . Behind the scenes . First appearing in Irvin Kershner ' s , the E - 3PO model of droid was first given its name in the " Star Wars " Customizable Card Game . The backstory of the droid subset was later established by " The Phantom Calamari " and " ejmacki " through StarWars . com ' s feature , " What ' s The Story ? " . The Databank entry chosen featured introductory text by Tyler Fisher . Information from the entry was later used in 2008 ' s " The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia " . The 2004 role - playing adventure " Contract AA23 " also featured a protocol droid named E - 3PO , although the adventure did not clarify whether the droid was of the E - 3PO class .