Droid (Star Wars)#U9-C4
{{Short description|Robots in the "Star Wars" franchise}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Droid (Star Wars)}}
File:R2-D2 & C-3PO (Star Wars).jpg (left) and C-3PO (right), first featured in Star Wars (1977) ]]
In the Star Wars space opera franchise, a droid is a fictional robot possessing some degree of artificial intelligence. The term is a clipped form of "android",[http://thewordguy.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/droid-d%C9%B9%C9%94%C9%AAd/ droid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727011730/http://thewordguy.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/droid-d%C9%B9%C9%94%C9%AAd/ |date=2011-07-27 }}, The Word Guy. (November 9, 2009) a word originally reserved for robots designed to look and act like a human.{{cite book |last=Prucher |first=Jeff |title=Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction |date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-530567-8 |pages=6–7 |chapter=android |access-date=February 20, 2016 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iYzi8m8FbEsC&pg=PA6 |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163857/https://books.google.com/books?id=iYzi8m8FbEsC&pg=PA6 |url-status=live }} The word "android" itself stems from the New Latin word "androīdēs", meaning "manlike", itself from the Ancient Greek ἀνδρος (andrós) (genitive of ἀνήρ (anḗr), "man (adult male)" or "human being") + -ειδής (-eidḗs), itself from εἶδος (eîdos, "form, image, shape, appearance, look").{{Cite web|title=Definition of android {{!}} Dictionary.com|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/android|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.dictionary.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607230737/https://www.dictionary.com/browse/android|url-status=live}}
Writer and director George Lucas first used the term "droid" in the second draft script of Star Wars, completed 28 January 1975.{{Cite web|title=Adventures of the Starkiller (Second Draft) – Starkiller|url=https://www.starwarz.com/starkiller/adventures-of-the-starkiller-second-draft/|access-date=2021-06-07|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607230747/https://www.starwarz.com/starkiller/adventures-of-the-starkiller-second-draft/|url-status=live}} However, the word does have a precedent: science fiction writer Mari Wolf used the word in her story "Robots of the World! Arise!" in 1952. It is not known if Lucas knew of this reference when he wrote Star Wars, or if he came up with the term independently.{{Cite web|title=I: Designing R2-D2 - 3dsf.info|url=https://sites.google.com/site/3dsfinfo/astromech-pages/designing-r2#TOC-Did-George-Lucas-coin-the-word-droid-|access-date=2021-06-07|website=sites.google.com|archive-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719074415/https://sites.google.com/site/3dsfinfo/astromech-pages/designing-r2#TOC-Did-George-Lucas-coin-the-word-droid-|url-status=dead}}
The word "droid" has been a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd since 1977.{{cite web | url = http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=1113700&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=US_REGISTRATION_NO&searchType=statusSearch | title = DROID (Original registration) | publisher = United States Patent and Trademark Office | date = September 22, 1977 | access-date = February 19, 2016 | archive-date = April 4, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130404082200/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=1113700&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=US_REGISTRATION_NO&searchType=statusSearch | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77580336&action=Request+Status | title = DROID (Current registration) | publisher = United States Patent and Trademark Office | date = September 26, 2008 | access-date = August 24, 2010 | archive-date = April 4, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404064929/http://tarr.uspto.gov/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77580336&action=Request+Status | url-status = live }}{{cite encyclopedia| url = http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/droid| title = Droid| encyclopedia = The Free Encyclopedia| date = 1981| access-date = February 19, 2016| archive-date = May 1, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210501161849/https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/droid| url-status = live}}{{cite web| url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366079,00.asp| title = TweetUp Buys, Renames Twidroid Twitter App.| first = Mark| last = Hachman| work = PC Magazine| date = July 6, 2010| access-date = July 13, 2010| archive-date = March 4, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053557/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366079,00.asp| url-status = live}}
Behind the scenes
Droids are performed using a variety of methods, including robotics, actors inside costumes (in one case, on stilts),{{cite book|last=Szostak|first=Phil|title=The Art of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'|year=2015|publisher=Abrams Books|isbn=978-1-4197-1780-2|page=140}} and computer animation.
=Trademark=
Lucasfilm registered "droid" as a trademark in 1977. The term "Droid" has been used by Verizon Wireless under licence from Lucasfilm, for their line of smartphones based on the Android operating system. Motorola's late-2009 Google Android-based cell phone is called the Droid. This line of phone has been expanded to include other Android-based phones released under Verizon, including the HTC Droid Eris, the HTC Droid Incredible, Motorola Droid X, Motorola Droid 2, and Motorola Droid Pro.{{cite web |url = http://www.androidguys.com/2010/06/18/droid-2-surprise-handon/ |title = Droid 2 Gets a Surprise Hand-On |date = 18 June 2010 |publisher = AndroidGuys |access-date = 2010-08-24 |archive-date = 2016-04-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160411181820/http://www.androidguys.com/2010/06/18/droid-2-surprise-handon/ |url-status = dead }} The term was also used for the Lucasfilm projects EditDroid, a non-linear editing system, and SoundDroid, an early digital audio workstation. The name "Omnidroid" was used with permission of Lucasfilm for the 2004 Pixar movie, The Incredibles, referring to a line of lethal robots built by the film's antagonist.{{cite web|url=http://whatculture.com/film/17-subtle-star-wars-easter-eggs-and-references-in-other-movies?page=16|title=17 Subtle Star Wars Easter Eggs And References In Other Movies – Page 16|date=December 24, 2015|website=WhatCulture|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-date=May 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501233646/https://whatculture.com/film/17-subtle-star-wars-easter-eggs-and-references-in-other-movies?page=16|url-status=live}}
Fictional types of droids
The franchise, which began with the 1977 film Star Wars, features a variety of droids designed to perform specific functions. According to background material, most droids lack true sentience and are given processing abilities sufficient only to carry out their assigned function. However, over time droids may develop sentience on their own as they accumulate experience. Periodic memory wipes can prevent this from happening, but those who manage to escape this fate will begin to develop their own personalities.{{cite book|last1=Luceno|first1=James|last2=Reynolds|first2=David West|last3=Windham|first3=Ryder|last4=Fry|first4=Jason|last5=Hidalgo|first5=Pablo|title=Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2018|pages=15|location=United States|isbn=978-1-4654-7547-3}}
Within the Star Wars universe, a class system is used to categorize different droids depending on their skill-set: first class droids (physical, mathematical and medical sciences), second class droids (engineering and technical sciences), third class droids (social sciences and service functions), fourth class droids (security and military functions), and fifth class droids (menial labor and other non-intelligence functions).{{cite book|last1=Barr|first1=Tricia|last2=Bray|first2=Adam|last3=Horton|first3=Cole|last4=Horton|title=Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2017|pages=134|location=United States|isbn=978-1-4654-5962-6}}
=Protocol droid=
A protocol droid specializes in translation, etiquette and cultural customs, and is typically humanoid in appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/protocol-droid |title=Databank: Protocol Droids |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719074419/https://www.starwars.com/databank/protocol-droid |url-status=live }} Protocol droids are used to aid in communications during diplomatic or business negotiations and often function as personal assistants to their owners. Protocol droids are also used for military service, whether as administrators, couriers or spies. However, they do have a tendency to be eccentric and fussy.Barr, et al. (2017), p. 140-141Luceno, et al. (2018), p. 194-195{{cite book|last1=Barr|first1=Patricia|last2=Bray|first2=Adam|last3=Jones|first3=Matt|last4=Horton|first4=Cole|last5=Wallace|first5=Daniel|last6=Windham|first6=Ryder|title=Ultimate Star Wars New Edition|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2019|pages=266|location=United States|isbn=978-1-4654-7900-6}}
The most notable example is C-3PO, introduced in Star Wars and featured in all sequels and prequels.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/c-3po |title=Databank: C-3PO |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=July 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708043655/https://www.starwars.com/databank/c-3po/ |url-status=live }} 4-LOM is a protocol droid turned bounty hunter who responds to Darth Vader's call to capture the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back (1980).{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/4-lom |title=Databank: 4-LOM |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023174856/http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/fourlom/ |archive-date=October 23, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/4-LOM|title=Databank: 4-LOM (Archived) |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023174856/http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/fourlom/ |archive-date=October 23, 2008 }} TC-14 is a droid with feminine programming that appears in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999),{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/tc-14 |title=Databank: TC-14 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720195105/https://www.starwars.com/databank/tc-14 |url-status=live }} and ME-8D9 is an "ancient protocol droid of unknown manufacture" that resides and works as a translator at Maz Kanata's castle on Takodana in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/me-8d9 |title=Databank: ME-8D9 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719074419/https://www.starwars.com/databank/me-8d9 |url-status=live }}
=Astromech droid=
An astromech droid is one of a series of "versatile utility robots generally used for the maintenance and repair of starships and related technology".{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/astromech-droid |title=Databank: Astromech Droids |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418085631/https://www.starwars.com/databank/astromech-droid |url-status=live }} These small droids usually possess "a variety of tool-tipped appendages that are stowed in recessed compartments". On certain spacecraft such as X-wing starfighters, astromech droids also double as the ship's navigational system. In addition to assisting with piloting and maintenance, astromech droids work in conjunction with the ship's hyperdrive to plot a safe course when traveling at faster-than-light speeds.{{cite book|title=Star Wars: Rebel Starfighters: Owners' Workshop Manual|publisher=Insight Editions|pages=18, 55|year=2019|isbn=978-1683839361}}
R2-D2 is an astromech droid introduced in 1977's Star Wars and featured in all subsequent films.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/r2-d2 |title=Databank: R2-D2 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808001920/https://www.starwars.com/databank/r2-d2 |url-status=live }} The malfunctioning droid R5-D4 also makes a brief appearance in Star Wars.{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/r5-d4|title=Databank: R5-D4|publisher=StarWars.com|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727184130/https://www.starwars.com/databank/r5-d4|url-status=live}} U9-C4 is a timid droid sent on a mission with D-Squad, an all-droid special unit in Star Wars: The Clone Wars,{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/u9-c4 |title=Databank: U9-C4 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418092402/https://www.starwars.com/databank/u9-c4 |url-status=live }} C1-10P (nicknamed "Chopper") is an oft-repaired, "outmoded" astromech who is one of the main characters of Star Wars Rebels,{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/01/28/star-wars-rebels-new-droid-revealed/|title=Star Wars Rebels: New droid revealed|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 28, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081320/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/01/28/star-wars-rebels-new-droid-revealed/|url-status=live}} and BB-8 is the astromech droid of X-wing fighter pilot Poe Dameron in The Force Awakens.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/bb-8 |title=Databank: BB-8 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727051510/https://www.starwars.com/databank/bb-8 |url-status=live }}
=Battle droid=
File:Battle droid - Flickr - Mr Conguito.jpg
A battle droid is a class of war robot used as an easily controlled alternative to human soldiers, most notably seen in the Star Wars prequel trilogy of films and the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series, in which 'B1' and 'B2' models are frequent antagonists. Due to their ubiquity, the terms 'B1' and 'battle droid' are used interchangeably; 'B2' models are also referred to as 'super' battle droids.{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/battle-droid|title=Battle Droid|website=StarWars.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-29|archive-date=2021-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810084243/https://www.starwars.com/databank/battle-droid|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/super-battle-droid|title=Super Battle Droid|website=StarWars.com|access-date=2018-12-29|archive-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719074418/https://www.starwars.com/databank/super-battle-droid|url-status=live}} These droids are mainly used as the primary troops of the Confederacy of Independent Systems or Separatist Alliance, acting as the counterpart to the clone troopers of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars.
The tall, thin B1 model resembles the Geonosian species, whose Baktoid Armor Workshop designed and built the droids for the Trade Federation and later the Separatists. Standing {{convert|1.93|m|abbr=on}} tall, B1 battle droids were given a humanoid appearance so they could operate existing machinery and weaponry, and are meant to be cheaply mass-produced in large numbers. During the Battle of Naboo, battle droids were controlled from a central command computer as a cost-saving measure. By the time of the Clone Wars, this drawback was rectified by giving them the capacity for limited independent thought called free thinkers.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/battle-droid |title=Databank: Battle Droid |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810084243/https://www.starwars.com/databank/battle-droid |url-status=live }}Barr, et al. (2017), p. 144-145Luceno, et al. (2018), p. 50-51Barr, et al. (2019), p. 252-253 The B2 super battle droid, introduced in the Battle of Geonosis, was designed by the Techno Union and manufactured by Baktoid as an improvement of the original B1 model. Heavily armored and capable of limited independent thought, it features an integrated dual laser cannon in its right arm.Luceno, et al. (2018), p. 128Barr, et al. (2019), p. 258-259
B1 battle droids have been criticized for being ineffective and boring opponents in the Star Wars films, easily destroyed and devoid of any personality. However, Rafael Motamayor of SyFy Wire argues that the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series rehabilitated their image by giving them distinct personalities. With the in-universe explanation that battle droids were upgraded to have independent thought, battle droids in the series are shown with self-awareness of their cannon fodder nature. This is often used as comic relief as battle droids comment on their tragic situation and even question orders that would get themselves or other battle droids killed.{{cite web|last=Motamayor|first=Rafael|title=How the Clone Wars Changed Star Wars: It Made Us Care About Faceless Droids And Armies|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/how-the-clone-wars-changed-star-wars-it-made-us-care-about-faceless-droids-and-armies|website=SyFy Wire|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719074419/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/how-the-clone-wars-changed-star-wars-it-made-us-care-about-faceless-droids-and-armies|url-status=dead}}
Beyond the B1 and B2 models, multiple other types of specialized battle droids have been featured in the Star Wars fictional universe.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/search?q=battle+droid |title=Battle Droids (Various) |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720195141/https://www.starwars.com/search?q=battle+droid |url-status=live }} The droideka is a three-legged heavy infantry unit designed by the Colicoids, a bloodthirsty insect-like species which it resembles. It is equipped with twin blasters and a deflector shield generator and can transform into its wheel form, allowing the droideka to roll towards the enemy at speeds of up to {{convert|75|kph|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/droideka |title=Databank: Droideka |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810084246/https://www.starwars.com/databank/droideka |url-status=live }}Luceno, et al. (2018), p. 52-53Barr, et al. (2019), p. 254 Commando droids are superior versions of the B1 battle droid, built sturdier with armor to withstand blaster fire and more advanced combat programming and battlefield awareness.Barr, et al. (2019), p. 263 The T-series tactical droids serve as advisors to Separatist commanders or command groups of other battle droids, while super tactical droids serve as generals of droid armies and fleets.Barr, et al. (2019), p. 260, 268 Droid vehicles and spacecraft include Vulture droids, Dwarf spider droids and Hailfire droids. After the Clone Wars, the Imperial Senate banned the manufacture of battle droids, but with loopholes for the building of "security" droids and experimental combat droids. This includes the Imperial military's KX-series of which K-2SO is an example, as well as Moff Gideon's pure-droid heavy-duty Dark Troopers.{{cite web |last1=Schedeen |first1=Jesse |title=The Mandalorian's Dark Troopers Explained: How the Series Is Adapting a Video Game Villain |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-mandalorian-dark-troopers-explained-star-wars |website=IGN |access-date=21 August 2022 |date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=21 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821201847/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-mandalorian-dark-troopers-explained-star-wars |url-status=live }}
=Probe droid=
Probe droids are deployed by the Empire in The Empire Strikes Back to search for hidden rebel bases. They are described as traveling via hyperdrive-equipped pods to almost anywhere in the galaxy in order to search for their target. Also called probots, they are {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} in height, floating above the ground on repulsorlifts and propelled by silenced thrusters. Probots are equipped with a variety of sensing equipment, including motion detectors and ultraviolet sensors, a blaster for self-defense, and a HoloNet transceiver to transmit any discoveries to Imperial forces.Barr, et al. (2019), p. 280
During the production of The Empire Strikes Back, Joe Johnston drew storyboard panels influenced by Dan O'Bannon and Moebius's short comic "The Long Tomorrow" (1975), one of which repurposes a pose Johnston admitted he borrowed from said work.{{cite book |editor1-last=Rinzler |editor1-first=J.W. |title=Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy |date=13 May 2014 |publisher=Abrams |isbn=978-1419707742 |page=118}} The same panel of the comic features a robot design by Moebius, which may have been the basis of the probe droid (or "probot") design that concept designers Johnston and Ralph McQuarrie created for the film.{{cite web |last=Heilemann |first=Michael |title=The Mœbius Probe |url=https://kitbashed.com/blog/moebius |website=Kitbashed |date=23 August 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719074416/https://kitbashed.com/blog/moebius |url-status=live }}
=Other droids=
Labor droids are used for a variety of tasks, from the very simple such as lifting heavy objects to the complex such as repairing machinery or administrating entire facilities, though their programming is very task-specific. Examples include mining droids which extract valuable resources, often from hazardous environments, and power droids, mobile fusion reactors which recharge ships, machines and other droids.Barr, et al. (2017), p. 136-137 Interrogation droids utilize a variety of devices, chemicals and techniques to exploit a prisoner's weaknesses in order to extract information from them.Barr, et al. (2017), p. 146Barr, et al. (2019), p. 277 Assassin droids such as the IG-series act with ruthless efficiency to hunt down their targets; while some serve other masters, others may operate independently.Barr, et al. (2019), p. 267 Medical droids on the other hand work tirelessly to heal people who have been harmed, whether as medical assistants, midwives or doctors. Many possess an encyclopedic knowledge of different species' physiologies so that patients can be properly diagnosed and treated.Barr, et al. (2017), p. 147Barr, et al. (2019), p. 278
List of droid characters
Reception
Many film scholars link the portrayal of droids in Star Wars to racial or class politics, technophobia, or sexual and reproductive anxieties. Dan Rubey, for example, sees the original film as establishing a "race hierarchy" with droids on the bottom rung.{{cite journal|last=Rubey |first=Dan |date=August 1978 |title=Star Wars: Not so Long Ago, Not so Far Away. |url=http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC18folder/starWars.html |journal=Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media |volume=18 |page=9-14 |access-date=March 6, 2024}} J. P. Telotte sees the droids as part of a human-over-nonhuman and living-over-nonliving hierarchy in the film, describing them as "essentially slaves to a superior mankind, embodying a romantic dream of obedience and dogged faithfulness to a master."{{cite journal|last=Telotte |first=J.P. |date=1983 |title='The Dark Side Of The Force': Star Wars And The Science Fiction Tradition |journal=Extrapolation |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=220 |doi=10.3828/extr.1983.24.3.216}} Diana Sandars follows a similar vein, seeing droids as a negative counterpoint to humanity, epitomized in Darth Vader's mechanical body, having "vanquished his human nobility."{{cite journal|last=Sandars |first=Diana |date=2003 |title=Astonish Me |journal=Australian Screen Review |volume=33 |pages=53 |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/ielapa.820862008746381 }} Writing before the release of the prequels, in which Obi-Wan Kenobi's relationship to droids differed from the original trilogy, Lane Roth instead saw the droids as a means of establishing the moral standing of human characters, with "sympathetic" characters like Obi-Wan treating them kindly (calling R2-D2 "my little friend" and listing the droids as passengers, not cargo) and initially "unsympathetic" ones, like Han Solo and the Tattooine Bartender, neglecting or abusing them.{{cite journal|last=Roth |first=Lane |date=1979 |title=Bergsonian Comedy and the Human Machine in Star Wars. |journal=Film Criticism |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=2 }} Cyrus Patell reads them similarly, referring to the droids as both "an ethical index" and a manifestation of technophobia.{{cite book|last=Patell |first=Cyrus |date=2012 |editor-last1=Brode |editor-first1=Douglas |editor-last2=Deyneka |editor-first2=Leah |title=Myth, Media and Culture in Star Wars: An Anthology |publisher=Scarecrow Press |chapter=Star Wars and the Technophobic Imagination |pages=154}} Meanwhile, Nicholas Wanberg sees the portrayal of droid characters, especially through the prequel films, as playing on racialized sexual and reproductive anxieties through contrasting origin settings between more or less "White" droids, different mind-body relationships, and reenactments of swamping fears.{{cite book|last=Wanberg |first=Nicholas |title=Populating the Future: Families and Reproduction in Speculative Fiction |date=2023 |editor-last=Farstad |editor-first=Britt Johanne |publisher=University of Gävle Press |chapter='Machines Making Machines? How Peverse.' Racism, (White) Sexual Anxiety, the droids of Star Wars and the Prequel Trilogy. |pages=235–260}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Star Wars Databank|subject=astromech-droid|text=Astromech droid}}
- {{Star Wars Databank|subject=protocol-droid|text=Protocol droid}}
- {{Wookieepedia|Astromech droid}}
{{Star Wars universe}}
Category:Fictional extraterrestrial robots