If you got a chance to see the R2 Builders exhibit at Celebration IV, or were able to attend any of the droid races in Fan Fair Hall, you got a chance to see some of the coolest toys out there... hand-built astromech droids! I even got my picture taken with an R7 unit that stopped by the encyclopedia table.

Well, that was about all it took to put me over the edge. Since returning from LA, I've had the pleasure to be able to join both the Astromechs user group and the R2 Builders user group over on Yahoo, and have gotten myself a set of designs for an R2 unit of my own!

Having minored in robotics in college (way back when...!), I think I have the ability to at least understand how to do this! I'm planning on starting from a wood frame, since that's a bit simpler (and I have all the woodworking resources here at the house), and using resin parts where possible to keep costs down. I'll go aluminum where it won't be painted (ie., the dome), and build in stages. Initially, it'll be just a two-leg, static unit. (Read: immobile... like the picture) Over time, I'll move up to something with three legs and - eventually - radio-control motion. Oh yeah... my older daughter wants it to be able to deliver cold sodas from the fridge, too!

(edited 06/24/2007)
I've decided to re-purpose one of my blogs to track my progress. Check out my Astromech Build Blog!

Wish me luck!

Bob
June 24, 2007