It is almost exactly 38 years since the release of the original Star Wars, and we still don't have a fully functioning C-3PO. Still, at least fans can now get their hands on an arguably more useful droid -- Haier Asia's remote-controlled R2-D2 refrigerator.
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Japan is a particularly popular region for all manner of Star Wars-licensed paraphernalia, which often borders on the cheesy. But not only is this device useful, it can actually make you feel like you're living in a galaxy where droids serve drinks (as Artoo himself did for a while, on Jabba the Hutt's sail barge).
The mobile refrigerator unit exhibits the familiar head swiveling moves of R2-D2, and chirps out the droid's distinctive robot-speak series of beeps that Star Wars characters are somehow able to interpret.
Created thanks to a deal between Haier Asia and Disney, the droid is a fond recreation of the on-screen Artoo -- one that wouldn't embarrass the R2 Builder's Club.
The beverage-bearing droid was shown off by Haier Asia CEO Yoshiaki Ito during a presentation in Tokyo last week, during which he emphasized that the robot fridge is not a concept device but a real product.
Pricing for Haier Asia's R2-D2 refrigerator has not been announced, but it will be available to consumers in 2016.