 |
Star Wars Interactive R2D2 by Hasbro
Product SummaryManufacturer: Hasbro Brand: Star Wars Model: 94254 Product features: - Newly programmed at our ultra-modern factory, this state-of-the-art R2 series astromech droid unit is ready to obey your commands
- Grab his attention by saying "Hey, R2!" and he's ready for more than 40 voice commands
- Just a few of R2's amazing attributes include moving along on his own
- In "Game" mode, R2 plays multiple games and spins, dances and plays music
- Once you've mastered R2's companion and game modes
- Move on to command mode for plotting real-time maneuvering or programmed courses for R2 to follow
- Turning his front beam on and off, and even playing a secret message when you follow the proper voice commands
Toys and Games Reviews of Star Wars Interactive R2D2Customer Review: R2D2 - Enough personality to be charming (& some tips) Summary: 4 Stars
All toy robots suffer from the problem that once you've experienced all their routines, interest often wanes quickly. R2D2 is no exception, however he has enough personality to stay fun even after you've seen his capabilities. Nice touches like turning his toward you to listen when he hears his name, and the emotion-conveying beeps leaving exact meaning to the imagination obfuscate his limited programming. Telling him, "behave yourself," then "time out," sends him away from you sulking to a dark corner of the room. It's pretty much the saddest thing I've ever seen a robot do and always makes me want to interact with him more to cheer him up! R2 requires patience, but is a charming companion for kids young and old. You will not regret getting him.
Here are a few under-mentioned tips for interacting with and fully enjoying this robot:
Hit him on the head to stop him from doing anything. Yes, he's voice activated, but you will still have to interact with him physically once in awhile to snap him out of funny modes. Followup a tap with a new command or he will return to his previous behavior. Hit him too many times in a row and he'll get mad and scared!
R2 has a hard time moving around in small spaces. His obstacle avoidance skills are top notch, so top notch that in a hallway, for example, he can get trapped between the walls, never finding the narrow path out. I recommend using him in bigger spaces. My apartment living room is barely big enough for him to explore successfully on his own.
He sometimes gets in a mode not mentioned in the command cheat sheets but eluded to in the manual. Say, "game mode," "answer this" and he watches you! It can be a little disconcerting because it's not always clear what he's doing at first, his head movements can be jerky and spastic, and he ironically doesn't respond to verbal commands just like any other time he's in motion. I believe he's SUPPOSED to respond to questions, but if his head turns while asking he misses it. I found that asking a question and following it with a clap or a tap on his chest is about 50% successful in making him randomly shake his head no or make a positive sounding set of chirps. Think of him as a partially deaf electronic magic 8 ball. I believe that because this mode is so unreliable it was omitted from the later versions' instructions, but it's still programed in. Don't mistake this mode for dead batteries; just hit him on the head to snap him out of it. Or let him do it for awhile to keep him occupied or weird out friends.
Similarly, the easter egg "follow me" mode locks him out of verbal commands. In a confined space it can be more like a "fear me" mode as he backs away from anything near him. Backing him into a corner is often easier than leading him into a room if the room is small. In more open spaces it works great. Again, hit him on the head to snap him out of it.
R2 always draws attention at parties, at least from my nerdy friends, and definitely entertains the guests. Just be aware that it can't be too loud for the voice commands to work. It's still fun, though, because he'll think he heard a command and take off doing something unexpected.
I only wish that in "command mode" there were more things you could program him to do sequentially. You can plot a course with a string of directions, but how about doing a dance, turning on his light, or finding a person after moving somewhere? I'd love to have him be able to play back a message you record, too. I hope there will be future versions that incorporate these ideas.
Description of Star Wars Interactive R2D2More than 15-inches tall, this sophisticated R2-D2 model boasts a secret cargo compartment, a unique swing-down utility arm that's also a beverage holder, a removable sensor scope, a working light beam, sound-processing microphones, and an adaptable droid mood-status indicator. Sonar navigational technology and infrared location sensors help make him one the most advanced droids around. Collectors young and old will appreciate the details of this Star Wars Interactive Electronic R2-D2 Astromech Droid. Complete with movie-accurate messages and flashing lights, this droid responds to voice commands and has a special arm designed to keep your beverage handy. This friendly robot is designed to be a fun companion for kids aged eight and up.  | What We Think Fun Factor: 
Durability:  (what this means)
The Good: Detailed robot moves, makes authentic movie sounds, and holds your beverage
The Bad: R2-D2 occasionally has trouble deciphering voice commands
In a Nutshell: Star Wars collectors are sure to enjoy this cool, interactive droid | At a Glance Ages: 8 and up Requires: 4 "AA" batteries and 4 "D" batteries |  | | 
The realistic details of R2-D2 will please collectors young and old. View larger. | Bring Home Your Own Astromech Droid Celebrate Star Wars 30th Anniversary by inviting this movie-accurate droid into your life. Once the loyal companion to Queen Amdala, this utility droid is programmed to be your devoted helper and friend. Help him get ready to serve you by snapping his steering legs into place and attaching the projector piece to his domed top. You'll need to use a Phillips screwdriver to insert four "AA" batteries and four "D" cell batteries in his side. More than 15-inches tall, this sophisticated R2-D2 model boasts a secret cargo compartment, a unique swing-down utility arm that's also a beverage holder, a removable sensor scope, a working light beam, sound-processing microphones, and an adaptable droid mood-status indicator. Sonar navigational technology and infrared location sensors help make him one the most advanced droids around. Take Advantage of Three Interactive Modes Intergalactic missions will be more fun with a reliable droid at your side. In companion mode, R2-D2 responds to commands like "Go on patrol," "Light Beam," and "Play Message." Star Wars fans are sure to appreciate the accuracy of the messages, which are culled from famous missions he remembers. You can even ask R2 about friends including Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, Darth Vader, and Jabba the Hutt. He has a different reaction to each name based on his "feelings" for the characters. And if you hit R2 on the head, he'll make irritated beeping sounds and try to move away from you. As you get to know your droid, you'll realize that the noises and motions he makes correspond to his "mood." In game mode, R2 responds to more complicated commands. He'll act as a sentry to protect your important stuff, dance to cantina music, spin around, or play light tag. The third mode is the most complex. This command mode lets you give pointed directions that control R2's movements. Tell him to turn left and right or go forward whenever you want, or set a preprogrammed course for him to follow. While R2 responded to simple commands with no problems, we had difficulty getting him to respond reliably to more complex requests. We trust that, like with any voice-operated electronic system, over time it will get easier to produce a wider range of commands that R2 consistently responds to. Until then, his movie-accurate look, the way he responds to simple commands, and the convenient beverage holder make him a fun comrade. What's in the Box Droid body, two steering legs, projector piece, telescope piece with sensory array, and an operation manual. 
R2-D2 can respond to commands. View larger. | 
And can double has a beverage holder. View larger. |
Action Figures Toys
|
 |