Friends, Apatheians, countrymen, lend me your astromechs.

Mike and I don't have a ring bearer in mind for our to-be ceremony, so we came up with the idea of an R2 unit with an extendable arm to carry a pillow down the aisle. We'd either have to build one ourselves or spend upwards of $8000 (possibly $10000) for one which was reasonably to-scale, which is kind of LOL. (There's also a miniature voice-activated toy that costs $200, but it's in no way suitable for the job we want it to do.)

So we found some basic guides giving us pointers on how to start, what materials to use, etc., and both of us are somewhat mechanically minded... but neither of us are particularly genius with things like circuitry. I understand the very basics of electronics, I can solder good, but I sure as hell don't know what that transistor does over there.

The wiki at http://astromech.net/droidwiki/index.ph ... ners_Guide says beginners will likely take 1--3 years to complete a droid, and as we'd like to have a ceremony sometime next year, that's pushing it a little. If this doesn't pan out then so be it - we have other geeky ideas - but you have to admit an R2 would be hella awesome. And hella fun to create!

Any thoughts? Brilliant ideas? Volunteers? Electronics teachers? Philanthropists willing to purchase a premade R2 as a wedding gift?

Side note: if this doesn't pan out, we might commission an Ewok. Or maybe a Lil' K.T., and totally throw the theme into chaos. >.>

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Ok so this sounds totaly cool.

Saying that base robotic controls for navigation down the eisle are the only movement requirements, and that the eye candy of a good looking replica are separate, I think the 3 yr timeframe is grossly overstated and that a "move down the eisle replica" should be easy to figure out within your given timeframe.

That said, do you have the duties of "R2 driver" assigned? I'm thinking someone in the balcony maybe with 3 to 4 RC car units tied to the same control to move the base of an R2 replica. (arm movement is given up in this model, however, shifting to a more sophisticated control unit may allow for this. Think helicopter control vs car.)

An R2 painted replica should be easy to make out of a 50gal drum, a large dome and some 2x6's. (at a guess)

Good luck and post photo's as the development takes place.

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Ryft of Khadgar

Ryft, you're awesome! lol. The replica idea never crossed my mind - but it's a good one.

I'm also starting to look to the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion for help. They're volunteer groups of Star Wars cosplayers and droid builders who might have ideas and/or be able to rent a droid/appear at the ceremony.

I'll keep you guys up to date!

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While I don't agree with the idea overall as something I think you want to be more special and classic when you get closer to the wedding,

I agree with ryft. Buy a remote contel car/tank and mount areplica of r2 to it
then have some drive the thing down the aisle with remote control. Simplest solution and should be a few hundred dollars at most.

Aw, the whole thing is going to be special, Chill. :) There'll be plenty of "classic" involved, but I really want it to be something that's unique to us as well. I'm not religious, so it won't be in a church. Vegas was out of the question, lol. We thought about a Disney wedding, but realized half of the guests couldn't afford to go, and that kind of got me thinking about "themed" stuff generally... then while we were talking about dresses and decor and all that blah blah blah, it came up that we didn't have a ring bearer. The thoughts progressed from "one of our cats?? my neighbor's dog??" to "OMG, A DROID!" It fits - we're both into Star Wars and we both travel a bit off the beaten path...

Trust me, it'll be tasteful and awesome. The guys will wear tuxes, but we might still have them wear Jedi robes over them. My dress might be something akin to Leia's ceremonial gown from ANH, if I can get it made VERY well and tailored to look more like a wedding dress (i.e., probably no metal belt, lol). Everything else will be along the lines of what you'd expect.

Anywho, thanks for the feedback on how to do this. :)

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I'd recommend a hybrid R2D2 option versus the "from scratch" solution:

1. Start with one R2D2 Trash Can (the large version)
The inside should have plenty of space to house a motor and electronics.
2. Purchase a high quality RC Tank
The control mechanism would move R2D2 and Turret rotate it's head.
3. Disassemble the tank and move the tracks to the left/right R2D2 leg while adding a static wheel to the single front R2D2 leg.
4. Reconfigure the R2D2 head to rotate and use the Turret mechanism and controls to make it turn back and forth.
5. I'm a little stumped on the "arm" but that shouldn't be an issue, really. More of a decision on how "fancy"
6. Add lights via "drummeling" square holes in to the R2D2, make some acrylic windows, and put in some LED multifunction lights (LED is important as they consume little power).
7. Find a "driver"

I hope that helps if, for nothing less, some ideas to further expand your thoughts on how/what to do.

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<-slivers of Khadgar->

trololololololololololo

ATTN SLIVERS:

You Rock.

Sincerely,

B&R

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I have the arm drive system already worked out. Use a car radio antena with its motor and fabricate it to resemble the arm R2 uses to access computer terminals.

As for the windows, most of the people from droidbuilders.net said a very good option is the cat litter containers since they are cheap look the part when the droid is off and dispurses the light evenly across the hole.

I like the idea of the tank for the drive system the static wheel I'd prefer to make it easyer and inset a larger caster style wheel like on the front of shopping carts. Will be able to turn much better then a standard static wheel design.

Either way I'll figure this out the building and painting and creating wasn't my worry, my worry is in the sounds and and setting up a remote drive system. If I'm going to do this I'm going to want it to look and feel perfect might have to wrap the shell in plastic wrap so I could paint a tux shirt, tie and jacket on the droid.

I've said far more then I wanted to on the topic so /wave

The "Trash Can"

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<-slivers of Khadgar->

trololololololololololo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOT3yk5D ... tube_gdata

I will make that style. Not worth doing if not done right!

lol, I created a monster

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