Droid Droids , less commonly known as robots and automatons , were mechanical beings that possessed artificial intelligence . They were used in a variety of roles and environments , often those considered too menial or too dangerous for other species , but also in fields that required extensive specialization and knowledge . History . For millennia , droids served in galactic society alongside organic beings . Droids existed as far back as the earliest days of the Jedi Order , which was founded over 5 , 000 years before the Clone Wars . One such ancient droid , Professor Huyang , served the Jedi for several millennia . As a result of this ancient coexistence with living beings , the galaxy often had an uneven relationship between organics and mechanicals . Records of uprisings and clashes between droids and their organic overlords became increasingly common as droids slowly became more important in galactic society . During the pan - galactic conflict known as the Clone Wars , the Confederacy of Independent Systems used a variety of battle droid s in its fight against the Galactic Republic . This mass - use of droids in combat cemented the idea of the " droid as an existential threat to biological life " narrative in the minds of the Republic . Ultimately , the Republic won the war and was replaced by an authoritarian Galactic Empire . Under the new regime , many people in the galaxy were afraid or otherwise distrustful of droids , due to their bad memories of the conflict . The Rebel Alliance , which opposed the Empire , treated droids not as property but as sentient beings . This feeling was later reciprocated by the New Republic and Resistance . Definition . Droids were mechanical constructs designed to assist organic lifeforms in various tasks . Depending on the nature of the work they performed , they possessed various degrees of artificial intelligence . Most droids had hard - coded restrictions against harming organics . Notable exceptions included security droid s and assassin droid s . Droids came in all sizes and shapes , and many of them resembled humanoid organics , possessing an upright posture , two arms , two legs , hands , feet , one thorax , a neck , and a head . The B1 battle droid s were designed to resemble their insectoid Geonosian creators . Likewise , the Colicoid s designed the three - legged droideka s in their image . Some droids , like the LOM - series unit , were made to resemble the organics they served . Contrary to organics , who were born and healed slowly , droids were easily built en masse , were less fragile , and could be repaired easily . They also did not have to learn skills ( such as calculation abilities ) , as they were directly programmed with them . Most droids possessed a form of self awareness , with advanced models even having emotions such as fear for their existence . They did not need to sleep , although they could be deactivated as a form of sleep and had occasional maintenance cycles . Because they were not technically alive , droids were " dead " to the Force , an energy field that connected all living things in the galaxy . The reprogrammed protocol unit Triple - Zero , however , theorized that the Force might flow through a droid equipped with a special engine driven by human blood . Droids were usually completely obedient and precise , and normally followed their proprietors ' orders . Some droids , however , served as bounty hunter s , operating independently , without a master . Unlike mere machines or primitive computers , droids were capable of developing unique personalities by gathering experiences . They could form friendships , and experience emotions such as happiness , pain , and sadness . To avoid that , most droid owners performed regular memory wipe s on their properties . Classes of droids . Droids could be entrusted with a multitude of tasks , ranging from running elementary diagnostics to performing complicated medical procedures , or sending communications to flying starship s . Depending on their technology , skills , and purpose , droids were grouped into five " classes , " also called " degrees . " First class droids . The first class was made up of droids skilled in mathematical , physical , and medical sciences . Examples included the JN - 66 analysis droid , the 2 - 1B surgical droid , the midwife droid , the DD - 13 tripedal medical droid , and the GH - 7 medical droid . Second class droids . Droids of the second class were skilled in engineering and technical sciences . Examples included the DUM - series pit droid , the PLNK - series power droid , and the WED - 15 Septoid Treadwell . Third class droids . Third class droids were skilled in social sciences and service functions . Examples included the CZ secretary droid , the LEP servant droid , the FA - 5 valet droid , and the BD - 3000 luxury droid . Fourth class droids . Droids of the fourth class were skilled in military and security functions . Examples included the Guardian police droid , the KX - series security droid , and the B1 battle droid . Fifth class droids . Fifth class droids were programmed for menial labor and intensive jobs that did not require a high level of intelligence . Examples included the GNK - series power droid , the MSE - 6 series repair droid , the IW - 37 pincer loader droid , the R - H029 sifter droid , the PK - series worker droid , and the UX - 53 Autopolisher MK . II . Behind the scenes . The word " droid " is derived from " android " which means " man - like . " Of course the term is erroneously used for " second degree " droids that have nothing common with Humanoid s . " Droid " is the exclusive name for every robotic entity in " Star Wars " . However , C - 3PO and R2 - D2 were referred to as " robots " on one occasion in . The word " droid " was stylized as " droid " in the , the apostrophe indicating that " droid " was a shortened form of the word " android " . In subsequently published novels , the apostrophe was not used . Early " Star Wars " Legends material sometimes spelled " droid " with an apostrophe ( ' droid ) , short for " android " . Trademark . George Lucas holds a trademark on the term " droid . " The miniature ' mech combat wargame " " was originally released under the name " BattleDroids " , but was renamed due to trademark issues with Lucasfilm . ' film " " ( 2004 ) contains a reference to Lucasfilm ' s droid with the large weapon of destruction , the Omnidroid ; an apparently unrelated killer droid of the same name also appears in " Star Wars Galaxies " . The credits of the film give a nod to Lucasfilm . From " Mickey News " ( 25 November 2004 ) : The term " Droid " has been licensed by Verizon Wireless for their line of based on the operating system . Motorola ' s late - 2009 Google Android - based cell phone is called the and this line of phone has been expanded to include other Android - based phones released under Verizon . The term is used under license from Lucasfilm .