Remote Remote broadly describes an entire class of restricted automatons . These automatons had no independent initiative , and only acted on orders given by their owners . Like droids , remotes possessed a limited degree of intelligence and drew from a library of preprogrammed instructions and past experience to complete their tasks . The remotes themselves were usually fifteen centimeter diameter spheres covered with maneuvering thrusters , laser emitters , and sensors . Characteristics . The onboard computer housed inside a remote was programmed with numerous combat drills . Each drill ended after a preset time or when a score had been reached . The trainee would set their blaster to emit only light , so as not to damage the remote . The sensors on the remote automatically detected light and scored it as a hit . For novice - levels , the remote moved slowly and the stun blaster were not used . However , at expert settings , the remote was able to weave around the opponent going full speed and constantly fired stinging stun blasts . Marksman - H combat remote were also excellent for lightsaber drills — because the remote ' s stun blasts had a greater reach than a lightsaber ' s blade , the trainee would have to deflect numerous stun blasts while waiting for an opportunity to retaliate . The stun blasters were different from one remote to another , and varied from light discharges which were merely sensed to full - intensity beams which could numb a limb for several minutes . The selected difficulty level determined the remote ' s firing rate , which could be set to speeds up to twice per second . The accuracy as also variable , but the advanced settings used very precise targeting for better practice dodging attacks . For movement , the remote used a small repulsorlift generator which could achieve a top speed of twenty - five km / h . Eight maneuvering thrusters made the remote extremely nimble ; combined with its fast acceleration and deceleration , this made for an unpredictable practice . Remotes were rarely used offensively , however , Imperial cities were known to carry some to swarm and surprise enemies . History . Many Force users ( such as the Jedi Younglings ) used remotes as training tools to hone blaster defense abilities by deflecting the remote ' s low energy plasma blasts with their lightsabers . Some would also cover their eyes with some sort of shield , relying exclusively on the Force to guide their actions . Typically , remote training was used in conjunction with the basic Form I of lightsaber combat . Some models , such as the common Marksman - H combat remote , were used by marksmen to practice quickdraw skills , reaction times , and accuracy . Depending on the training program being run , this could be difficult , as the fast and nimble droids were very difficult to hit , especially from a distance . In order to prevent permanent damage , trainees usually fired light - only bolts at the remote . Although used primarily for training purposes , remotes could also be configured to serve in a variety of other roles , including long - range surveillance , as a portable microphone , and even as a cargo mover . Specially modified remotes called seekers were used by Imperial forces in pursuit of certain targets . Fitted with deadly armament and highly capable sensors , these mobile remotes were capable of wreaking havoc due to the difficulty in targeting them . One of the few remotes to gain note was one created by a Zabrak named Bao - Dur . After he created the remote , it followed him through his life and even through the Mandalorian Wars that the Zabrak helped end at Malachor V . Later Bao - Dur and the remote met the Exile that he had earlier met in the Mandalorian Wars . After the remote and Bao - Dur followed the Exile back to Malachor V , Bao - Dur asked the remote to activate the destructive Mass Shadow Generator that he created to end the earlier war . The remote performed his master ' s request and stayed behind to ensure the activation of the generator . Behind the scenes . The training remote in " A New Hope " was cited as inspiration for NASA ' s SPHERES program of miniature satellites . In " " , the auto turret has a body similar to a training remote .