A bold and spirited astromech droid in the service of Luke Skywalker. Artoo played a major role in the destruction of the first Death Star by delivering that battle station’s technical read-outs to the Rebel Alliance. He has since aided Luke on countless flights, joining the young Jedi at the Battle of Yavin and on his perilous trip to Dagobah. The inquisitive little droid has been programmed for navigation and repair but he is also capable of independent thought and his quick thinking has saved his friends numerous times.

Like all astromech droids Artoo-Detoo is designed to operate in deep space, interfacing with fighter craft and computer systems to augment the capabilities of ships and their pilots, usually from a socket behind the cockpit. He monitors and diagnoses flight performance maps and stores hyperspace data, and pinpoints technical errors or faulty computer coding. He is also well-versed in starship repair for hundreds of styles of spacecraft, and is able to exist in the vacuum of space indefinitely. Artoo converses in a dense electronic language consisting primarily of beeps, chirps, and whistles. He can understand most forms of human speech but must have his own communications interpreted by a starship’s computers or an interpreter droid such as C-3PO.

Artoo’s domed head, which can rotate a full 360 degrees, contains infrared receptors, electromagnetic-field sensors, a register read-out and logic dispenser, dedicated energy receptors, a radar eye, heat and motion detectors, and a holographic recorder and projector. His cylindrical body hides numerous devices, including a storage/retrieval jack for computer link-up, auditory receivers, flame-retardant foam dispenser, electric shock prod, high-powered spotlight, grasping claw, laser welder, circular saw, and a cybot acoustic signaler. Artoo usually travels on two treaded legs, although his third leg can be lowered for extra stability. In addition, Artoo has flotation devices and a periscoping visual scanner to guide him while submerged.

Artoo’s early history remains completely obscured. According to the Droids comic books and animated television series, Artoo and Threepio undertook numerous adventures with a string of owners before finding themselves embroiled in the Rebellion. It is known that they were aboard the Tantive IV when it was captured by the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator, at which point Artoo was entrusted with the secret Death Star plans. In the years that followed, they became deeply involved with the Alliance. However, while Threepio often served Princess Leia, Artoo was always at Luke Skywalker’s side.

After the Battle of Endor, Artoo continued to prove invaluable to the New Republic. He aided in the destruction of the massive World Devastators, joined Lando Calrissian on his mission to unravel the mysteries of the Teljkon vagabond ghost ship, and helped foil a plot by the Dark Jedi Keller to destroy Rogue Squadron. He joins Luke on almost all of his adventures and has yet to disappoint his allies.

Back to Characters