2-1B surgical droid

This article is about the droid model.
You may be looking for the individual droid or the similarly named 2-1C medical droid.

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2-1B surgical droid

Production information

Cost

4,300 credits^[1]

Technical specifications

Height

1.5 meters^[1]

Plating color

Gunmetal gray^[3]

Equipment

Analytical computer^[1]
AutoMed Intravenous BioInjector^[4]
AutoMed Specialty Medical Head^[4]
Brodan Triple-Opposing Midweight Pincher^[4]
Computer interface tether^[1]
Cybot Galactica Microweight Torso^[4]
Cybot Galactica MD-1 Micromanipulation Arm^[4]
Hydraulic lines
Hydraulic systems pumps
Hypodermic injector^[1]
Knee assembly
Medical diagnostic computer^[1]
Medicine Dispensers^[1]
Multiwave visual sensors (2)
Precise servogrip pincers
Precision servomotor
Surgical implements^[1]
Torso sheath
Veril Line Systems OMI Lightweight Bipod Unit^[4]
Vocabulator

"I'm the most efficient medical droid in the Galaxy, even more capable than the Effex-Seven, and certainly possessing a better bedside manner."

―2-1B^[2]

2-1B surgical droids, also known as 2-1B medical droids, were advanced medical droids popular across the galaxy to those that could afford them.

At some point, a 2-1B droid typically cost 4,300 credits.^[5]

Description

The 2-1B series was humanoid droid with gunmetal gray plating and many of its internal components visible through a translucent torso sheath. Early models were designed to be immobile, hardwired into place in operating theatres and medical facilities. Later 2-1Bs were constructed with two legs, allowing the droids to move about freely.^[3]

A 2-1B model's arms featured exceptional joint articulation and were delicate but perfectly balanced. Ungainly-looking servogrip pincers were located at the end of each limb but they were deceptively gentle, capable of holding and manipulating laser scalpels and other medical tools with precision and skill. These hands could be removed and replaced with hypodermic injectors and cutting saws.^[3]

Each 2-1B was supplied with a five-meter computer interface tether that could be plugged into a chest-mounted access port and connected to a medical mainframe. This allowed the droid to access historical data and patient archives.^[3] The tether was a holdover from the droid's initial design where it was bolted to the floor; later models with legs and an expanded data library made a tethered mainframe access unnecessary.^[2]

In order to give the 2-1B an advanced intellect, Geentech equipped the droid with an advanced analytical and diagnostic computer.^[3] The droid's behavioral circuitry matrix was extremely flexible, allowing the 2-1B to avoid being too literal in their thinking and cope better with the complications of surgery.^[2] To ensure that the unit was extremely skilled, prototype knowledge matrices were sent to the Rhinnal State Medical Academy where several of the top physicians in the galaxy refined the 2-1B's knowledge and skill base^[3] and programmed its diagnostic database to match the skills of organic surgeons.^[2]

Among other skills, a 2-1B could diagnose cardiac arrest in a hibernating Pui-ui. With its advanced medical knowledge, the unit would know that the species had a fatal allergy to perigen. The droid could then administer treatment to an enzyme eruption in the patient's third heart by either inserting an Intravenous Access Unit catheter, or prescribing a mixed dosage of Iotramine and Clondex. 2-1Bs featured a level of sophistication that was not present in earlier medical droid models.^[3] A side effect of the 2-1B's intelligence was that units became arrogantly self-aware. Knowing that they were among the best surgeons, many 2-1Bs were vocal that they should be celebrated for their skills and achievements.^[2]

History

A 2-1B delivering a diagnosis to a patient.

The 2-1B surgical droid was the result of a joint development project between Industrial Automaton and the small medisensor company Geentech.^[3] Geentech's research into state-of-the-art artificial intelligence became a reality when Industrial Automaton made their near-limitless resources available to the smaller manufacturer. The droid was designed from the start to be a surgical specialist, unlike contemporary models such as Medtech's FX-series and Industrial Automaton's MD-series.^[2]

In general, droid surgeons possessed numerous advantages over organics; unshakable hands, not mentally burdened by any distractions, and they could always remember how to perform a surgical procedure. Previous attempts to introduce surgical units into the medical droid field had limited success. These models were unable to deal with sudden complications and to foresee unpleasant side effects in patients due to limited intellect. Many patients were also distrustful of being operated on by a droid.^[3]

When introduced on the galactic droid market, the 2-1B was an instant success. Soon, units were found in nearly every major clinic and emergency ward, and even on hospital ships.^[3] 2-1Bs became the preeminent surgical droid in medical facilities ranging from battlefield hospitals to reconstruction centers on Coruscant.^[2] The most useful characteristic of the 2-1B droids was the ease with which owners could update their programming and appendages. A 2-1B droid could easily become a specialist in neurosurgery, podiatry, pediatrics, cybernetic limb replacement, and alien biology. The wealthy also used these droids to perform facial surgery and to burn away pockets of body fat.^[3]

Despite the 2-1B surgical droid's success, Geentech went bankrupt after the rival Genetech Corporation sued it over a copyright infringement due to Geentech's similar name. However, Industrial Automaton acquired the rights to the 2-1B and continued production of the droid series. Despite its age, the 2-1B line continued to serve in a variety of medical and surgical capacities until the New Republic era.^[3]

Notable units

Two 2-1B units were used by Emperor Palpatine in 19 BBY to resuscitate Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader, after his vicious scarring and dismemberment on the volcanic world of Mustafar at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi, replacing much of his body with bionic prosthetics.

Another droid, known only as 2-1B, defected from the Galactic Empire to serve the Alliance to Restore the Republic. This droid was responsible for treating the famed Luke Skywalker in 3 ABY following his encounter with a wampa, and again later after his duel with Darth Vader, in which he lost his right hand.

At least one red 2-1B unit served in the Theed Royal Palace in 32 BBY. At the same time, another unit served as a repulsorlift platform transport pilot for Coruscant Tours.

Another known 2-1B unit was the medical droid known as Waste, who served on the Imperial prison barge Purge. He assisted Zahara Cody in attempting to treat those infected with the Blackwing Virus, and the droid was destroyed on board the Purge in 1 BBY by the zombie that it had been trying to treat. At least one more of these units was encountered by Cody aboard the Star Destroyer Vector, inside Bio-Lab 242 which Cody at first mistook as Waste.^[6]