R4 astromech droid

This article is about the astromech droids model. You may be looking for individual droids named R4 (disambiguation).

The R4-series astromech droid, also called the R4-series agromech droid, was a highly successful attempt to capture a new market prospect—the Outer Rim urbanite who was more likely to have a souped-up landspeeder parked in their garage than an X-wing. Flushed with the success of their landmark R2 launch, Industrial Automaton rushed to capitalize on their new dominance of the astromech droid market. Accordingly, the R4 was designed for life outside the pristine hangar bay. It was simpler, tougher, and cheaper than previous R3-series models.

Description

R4-series astromechs shared the same body shell as previous R-series models, a barrel-shaped body with three treaded legs. The main difference was the droid's head, which was conical in shape.The R4 incorporated the advanced Intellex VI computer which was programmed with designs and specifications for commonly available repulsorcraft and space transports. Since it was never meant to be used in conjunction with military craft such as starfighters, its active memory was only capable of holding coordinates for single hyperspace jump.^[1]

Standard equipment installed on the R6 included an acoustic signaller, arc welder, circular saw, a holographic projector/recorder, retractable fine worker arm, and retractable heavy grasper arm.^[3] In an effort to save money on the droid's production, equipment that had been standard on previous models, such as the video display screen and the fire extinguisher, were removed.^[1] However, owners could fit that equipment easily into an R4 if they so desired.^[2]

Designed to be used in rugged work environments, the R4's chassis was able to shrug off minor nicks and dents. When given regular maintenance, the droid was able to outlast Industrial Automaton's estimates for operational lifespan, weather endurance, and recharge duration. Overall, the R4-series was cheaper, simpler, and tougher than their predecessors.^[1]

Role

Industrial Automaton marketed the R4-series to a different droid-buying market, that of an Outer Rim city-dweller who needed assistance with repairs and maintenance to their modified landspeeders^[1] or household items like holorecorders.^[2] Industrial Automaton had been faced with complaints about the cost of the R2-series and that the R3-series was perceived as "elitist" due to its exclusivity.^[3]

Industrial Automaton believed that a droid capable of keeping equipment in good working order would be of interest to groups operating in the Outer Rim or off the regularly travelled hyperlanes, especially if it was inexpensive. R4s had a loyal and helpful attitude, even more so than a typical R2. They were less independent however, and were unlikely to attempt repairs unless being instructed to do so. R4 owners came to see them as friends or pets, rarely wiping their memories unless they changed owners, and that was not always guaranteed.^[2]

History

The R4 was another successful release for Industrial Automaton with mass-market buyers praising the droid. Other groups beyond Industrial Automaton's target demographic found a use for the R4 as well.^[1]

When an R4 unit that served the Jedi Order, R4-P17, required a complete rebuild following an industrial accident on Gyndine, it was refitted with a dome head similar to the R2-series rather than replacing the standard conical head. The rebuild was considered to be so successful that the Jedi began incorporating dome-headed R4 units into their Delta-7 Aethersprite and Eta-2 starfighters.^[4]

The Alliance to Restore the Republic, always looking for ways to stretch their resources, appreciated the droid's low cost and working knowledge of a wide array of general-purpose vehicles. During the Galactic Civil War, the conical-headed droids were common sights in Alliance bases and hangars.^[1]

The Galactic Empire used a number of R4 droids aboard the Death Star's. Fitted with nonstandard magnetic fault sensors, they were deployed to find flaws within the battle station's atmospheric containment fields.^[1]