TheBB-series astromech droid, also known as a33 series astromech and often referred to as aBB unit or arollie, was a model of theastromech droid manufactured byIndustrial Automaton and active during the era of theCold War, featuring a spherical body that allowed the droid to roll in any direction, with a head usually atop the body but not meant to be permanently physically attached to it (which would inhibit the droid's ability to roll around). Like earlier astromechs, the BB unit could fit into the droid socket of astarfighter. One notable BB unit wasBB-8, owned by thepilotPoe Dameron.
The BB-series was a model ofastromech droid.[12] Powered by aselenium drive, thesedroids had an internal orbiculate motor that allowed their spherical bodies to roll across a variety of terrain, keeping their domed heads fixed on top with magnetic casters. Rather than keeping the head tethered by a single contact point, wireless telemetry allowed the two sections of the droid to communicate.[6] The internal gyroscopic propulsion system was self-correcting,[9] and surface sensors on the spherical body allowed the droid to travel across uneven environments such asdeserts, with the benefit of its shell being sealed from dust contamination. For areas that proved too difficult for the orbiculate motor to traverse, BB units were equipped with compressedliquid-cable launchers that could tether and reel the droid in to hard-to-reach spots.[6] As the droid's body faced in all directions at all times, it needed only to accelerate rather than turn.[11] The BB's dense shell featured six swappable circulartool-bay disks that could be fitted with numerous forms of equipment, such as a magnetic-tippedbolt-spinner.[6]
The droid's domed head was composed of a lightweight cranial frame featuring a large, round primaryphotoreceptor and a smaller articulatedholoprojector array.[6] The droid's sensors featured advanced calibrated synthetic optics.[11] Transmitter and receiver antennae extended from the top of the head, and data ports were located above a band of stainlessinoxium girding the bottom of the dome.[6] The head could be dislodged from the body given significant force, but could quickly reattach itself with the magnetic casters.[13]
2BB-2 in service of the Resistance.
BB units possessed a dedicated, goal-focused personality, and were protected by self-preservation protocols. However, it was known for some experienced droids to create strong loyalty subprograms that saw them enter into dangerous situations in order to assist their masters and owners. The droids communicated viadroidspeak variants of the most common astromech language.[6] BB units also possessed athermal hyperscan vindicator.[9]
History[]
"That BB unit. The First Order is looking for one just like it."
The BB-series saw service during the latteryears of the New Republic, and some were utilized byGeneralLeia Organa'sResistance.[6] This unit was considered a new-model astromech as of the time of theattack on Tuanul in34 ABY.[2] Like the older and larger astromech models that preceded it, the BB unit was compatible with the astromech socket ofstarfighters such as theT-70 X-wing starfighter, and was equipped to control on-board flight and power distribution systems.BB-8 served as the trusty companion of ResistancepilotPoe Dameron, who fostered deep respect for his droid companion and kept BB-8's systems and components up-to-date and well maintained. Although the droid's self-preservation protocols made the droid somewhat skittish and easily frightened, his experiences created a strong loyalty subprogram that caused BB-8 to follow Dameron into numerous dangerous situations.[6]
LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation | Official Trailer | Disney+ on the officialStar WarsYouTube channel(backup link)(Posted on StarWars.com)
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge — Droid Depot
BB-8 in theDatabank(backup link)
Star Wars Blips — "Fan Droids"
