R8 - series astromech droid The R8 - series astromech droid was a part of Industrial Automaton ' s line of R - series astromech droids . This model was produced during the rule of the New Republic , following the death of Grand Admiral Thrawn . This was also the only R - series astromech to not have a sensor " eye , " instead featuring a miniature satellite dish on its dome . Characteristics . During development , it was rumored that the R8 unit would be the first Industrial Automaton astro - droid to speak Basic , though the final product communicated in Droidspeak . It came with a full - frequency comm system as standard equipment , making it ( along with the venerable R2 astromech unit ) a recommended choice for those needing long - range comm interface capabilities . The R8 was designed to have the piloting power of the R7s without focusing on just the antiquated E - wing , as well as having the usefulness , versatility , and most of all , customizability of the previous R - series droids . The R8 was better with repairs , navigation , and piloting than any other R - series droid , and provided far - superior software customizability . Additionally , in times of emergency , the R8 was capable of piloting small craft ( and mid - sized craft if so programmed ) with a great deal of skill directly from its astromech socket or while connected to a computer terminal , though dynamic piloting and intuitive thinking was still a stretch . Similarly , to the interest of smugglers , pirates , and others , an R8 was capable of manning the weaponry of smaller ships , with capabilities possibly even matching an organic crew member . Externally , the R8 resembled any R - series droid . In keeping with the " return to their roots " slogan , the R8 head was once again dome shaped , like that of the R2 - series . Instead of the metal shell of previous models , the head and body of R8 droids were frosted plasteel , with " gel " - style plasteel coloring for aesthetic purposes . History . Though Industrial Automaton ' s initial release of the highly specialized R7 droid was a moderate success , thanks to continuous attacks from the Imperial Remnant , and later the war with the Yuuzhan Vong , the R7 line of droids eventually and inevitably became obsolete when the New Republic ' s E - wing were phased out in favor of newer models . As a result , the company decided to market the incredibly versatile and powerful processing power of the R7 series and " return to their roots , " as was the company ' s slogan for the new droid . The R8 series was born . Much like its R6 predecessor , the R8 sold incredibly well . However , before Industrial Automaton announced the new model , it ventured a major risk in overproducing the required parts for the R8 . The gamble paid off in spades . R8 units were sold at a droid outlet on the Imperial world of Bastion shortly before the signing of the Pellaeon – Gavrisom Treaty . Lando Calrissian and Han Solo used these units to block Imperial sensors that were pursuing them onworld . Behind the scenes . In " The Clone Wars " episodes " Death Trap " and " R2 Come Home , " Mace Windu has an astromech unit designated R8 - B7 . Since the R8 - series was supposedly not created until several decades after the Clone Wars , it is likely that he is an earlier model with an R8 designation .