- "We were so focused on perfecting the advanced sensor analysis of the XPLR-R, that we simply ignored our needs in corporate defense."
- ―Former VSIS president Rina Fio after the takeover
The XPLR-R was a prototype hyperspace-route-mapping and habitation-location unit developed by Viper Sensor Intelligence Systems. During the Separatist Crisis, rival Arakyd Industries asserted that the XPLR-R borrowed heavily from the proprietary designs of their probe droid line. As a result, Arakyd demanded aggressive remuneration and technology rights of the younger firm and the two companies entered an 18-month-long dispute. However, VSIS was so focused on perfecting the XPLR-R's advanced sensor analysis that it ignored its needs in corporate defense.[1]
Shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars in the year 22 BBY,[2] the dispute over the XPLR-R was resolved when Arakyd absorbed its smaller competitor in an armed takeover[3] of Viper Tower and kept VSIS in operation as a research-and-development division.[1] In possession of proprietary Viper technology, Arakyd released the Viper probe droid, the company's biggest success to date.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
The XPLR-R was originally created for HoloNet News Vol. 531 50, a HoloNet News article written by Pablo Hidalgo and Paul Ens with illustrations by Joe Corroney and released on April 4, 2002.[1]
Appearances[]
Sensor Technology Dispute Settled in Takeover — HoloNet News Vol. 531 #50 (content now obsolete; backup link) (First mentioned)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
Sensor Technology Dispute Settled in Takeover — HoloNet News Vol. 531 #50 (content now obsolete; backup link)
- ↑ The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. I, p. 4 ("AAD-4")
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The New Essential Guide to Droids