Star Wars evil droid, R2-Q5, finally gets its due
The Star Wars Sphero droid universe just expanded by one.
R2-Q5, an Imperial Astromech droid that appeared in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Star Wars: Return of the Jedi scene (and for a little bit longer in a deleted scene found only in the Blu-ray edition), but has somehow become a fan favorite, is getting his own toy robot. Yes, yes, we know there's a Lego version, but it doesn't look or work like this.
Sphero, which earlier this year delivered a pitch-perfect replica of R2 is unveiling the malevolent R2-Q5 at its New York Comic Con booth on October 5.
The 7-inch-tall robot offers all the same features and capabilities as Sphero's stunning, app-enabled R2-D2 droid, including a retractable third foot, rotating head, app remote control, and programming. Even though it can use the same app as Sphero's R2-D2, R2-Q5 will have its own evil animations and sounds.
The robot also has a distinctly darker look.
Sphero's R2-Q5's mostly black body has a sheen that would not look out of place on Darth Vader's helmet. The bronze accents only enhance its sinister look. Based on the few seconds of celluloid we have to compare, it looks exactly like R2-D2's evil twin. There is, though, no blaster cannon hidden under a dome flap.
There'll be just 100 R2-Q5s for sale at Sphero's New York Comic Con booth. Then, on November 5, the evil opposite of R2-D2 arrives on Best Buy store shelves. According to Sphero, this is a limited run and whatever is on store shelves will be the end of R2-Q5's run. When they sell out, they're gone for good.
Lance Ulanoff was Chief Correspondent and Editor-at-Large of Mashable. Lance acted as a senior member of the editing team, with a focus on defining internal and curated opinion content. He also helped develop staff-wide alternative story-telling skills and implementation of social media tools during live events. Prior to joining Mashable in September 2011 Lance Ulanoff served as Editor in Chief of PCMag.com and Senior Vice President of Content for the Ziff Davis, Inc. While there, he guided the brand to a 100% digital existence and oversaw content strategy for all of Ziff Davis’ Web sites. His long-running column on PCMag.com earned him a Bronze award from the ASBPE. Winmag.com, HomePC.com and PCMag.com were all been honored under Lance’s guidance.He makes frequent appearances on national, international, and local news programs including Fox News, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Kelly and Michael, CNBC, CNN and the BBC.He has also offered commentary on National Public Radio and been interviewed by newspapers and radio stations around the country. Lance has been an invited guest speaker at numerous technology conferences including SXSW, Think Mobile, CEA Line Shows, Digital Life, RoboBusiness, RoboNexus, Business Foresight and Digital Media Wire’s Games and Mobile Forum.
