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R5-series astromech droid

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R5-series astromech droid
Production information
Manufacturer

Industrial Automaton

Product line

R-series

Model

R5-series astromech droid

Technical specifications
Height

1 meter

Equipment
  • Retractable heavy grasper
  • Small circular saw
  • Acoustic signaler
  • Holographic projector/recorder
  • Fire extinguisher
Chronological and political information
Era(s)
Affiliation
[Source]
"A meter-tall stack of the worst business decisions you could possibly want."
―Mechtech Illustrated[src]

The R5-series astromech droid was a line of low cost astromech droids built by Industrial Automaton. Based upon the success of prior astromech models, such as the wildly popular R2-series, Industrial Automaton intended the R5-series to cater to budget buyers at the cost of some functionality.

Contents

[edit] Characteristics

Because of their inexpensive construction, however, droids of this series were plagued by a number of design flaws—most obviously, a sullen demeanor and sharp attitude resulting from deficiencies in the machine's personality matrix. Media outlets soon picked up on these errors: Mechtech Illustrated called the R5 model "a meter-tall stack of the worst business decisions you could possibly want."

[edit] History

Two black R5 units on the Death Star.

During the Clone Wars, members of the R5-series were used by the Republic for a variety of roles, including use aboard starfighters like the ARC-170 and capital ships like the Acclamator-class assault ship.

They weren't quite as commonly used by Rebel pilots because the extra height of the R5 made them a more prominent target in an X-wing's droid socket, although the Alliance would use them in maintenance jobs extensively due to their low cost. Despite this, Wedge Antilles would use an R5 model with the designation of R5-G8 which he nicknamed 'Gate.'

After a particularly poor sales year, Industrial Automaton discontinued the R5 series in 22 BBY. To cover losses, the droid manufacturing firm repackaged R2-AG-series and R4-series droids in excess R5 shells.

Aboard Imperial warships, R5 units were used to monitor medical equipment such as life support capsules.

Due to their design problems, a number of R5 units were part of the population of ownerless, unwanted, and otherwise abandoned droids inhabiting Kligson's Moon.

[edit] Notable units

[edit] Appearances

[edit] Non-canon appearances

[edit] Sources

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