Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Astromech Droid Robot
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Product Summary
Brand: HasbroModel: 89055
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
- Ask him if he remembers his famous friends, like Luke Skywalker, C-3PO or Jabba the Hutt
- These are just a few of R2's amazing attributes
- In "Game" mode, R2 plays multiple games and spins, dances and plays music, and he even guards your room with his sentry alarm
- Each name will stir up a different response depending on R2's "feelings" for that character
- Includes moving along on his own, turning his front beam on and off, and even playing a secret message when you follow the proper voice commands
- Energizer L91BP-8 Lithium AA Photo Battery (8-Pack)
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries with Charger - 4 Pack
- Sony Cycle Energy 2000 mAh Pre-Charged AA Rechargeable Batteries
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries - 8 Pack
- Sony 2500 mAh AA Rechargeable Nimh Batteries, 4-pack
Toys and Games Reviews of Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Astromech Droid Robot
Customer Review: Awesome R2
Summary: 4 Stars
I picked up the Hasbro Interactive R2-D2 for the kids for Christmas. It's not a new toy; it has been around since 2002 at least but has been repackaged over time. We've had a solid month to put him through the paces so I feel ready to review him and not just give an "off the cuff" reaction. A toy like this takes time to see if it has staying power. Similar to my review of the Clone Wars Ultimate Light Saber Kit, I'll do this one as a Pros and Cons format.
Pros:
Voice Activated - That's right a remote control robot with no remote control. With a fairly impressive list of verbal commands I can make R2 go where I want, dance, play games and scream like a sissy over Jabba the Hutt. While many newer robotic toys feature the IR remote they just seem clunky to me now that I know that in 2002 verbal recognition controls worked as well as they do in R2 here. Hey, more voice command robots 2009!
Commands - And as stated R2 does have an impressive set of recognized commands. You can order him to patrol around your house, follow you around and remember several different Star Wars characters with specific reactions to each and including some "Easter egg" songs and dances if you ask about certain characters in the correct order. He has a game mode in which he can cantina dance, play light tag and guard a room. And he has a robust command mode that allows you to tell him to move and turn in specific unit amounts (1 - 5 units) including the ability to plot a course up to 20 commands and have him execute it all at once. These are only some of the functions he can perform on command.
Durability and power - R2 has impressed me with his durability. He is sturdy and short of dropping him down the stairs he should last a long time. Power wise he is quite strong and you will have no trouble operating him on floor or carpet (unless you have some kind of super shag). He has surprised me several times by how strong his drive wheels are, at one point actually pushing a full sized bike out of his way (before post Christmas clean up). Also, he takes 4 AA and 4 D batteries and I've been impressed, considering what all he can do, at how long the batteries last.
Believability and sensors - Part of what makes it all so fun is the feeling that you have a "real" R2 hanging out with you. When on patrol he whistles and beeps and spins his dome and does not run into anything unless it is below his line of sight. Thanks to an impressive array of sensors he is very believable as an autonomous robot. He has sonar sensors to keep from bumping into things or to back away if something it coming toward him, a heat sensor he can use to find you or follow you, directional sound sensors so he can hear you, respond and turn his head in your direction, a main voice command microphone in his chest and wheel load sensors so if he does bump into something he'll realize it after a moment and reverse direction.
Cons:
Voice commands with background noise and youngsters - Yes the voice commands are impressive but he is a toy and lots of background noise will make it more difficult for him to understand your commands. Also, you must speak clearly. Unfortunately this will exclude some youngsters from playing to the full extent. My 5 year old, for example, speaks clearly enough but her little voice is a bit out of range for R2 to understand (on the up side she has plenty of fun without having to be the one to issue commands). This is to be expected though as the box does say 8 and up. R2 can understand my 8 year old and me just fine and I'm sure as she gets older he'll listen to the younger one too.
Cup holder and sensor - Not much to say here; yes, they are a bit chintzy. I don't use them. At least they are a bit of something extra. On the up side the little storage compartment he has is a great place to store the quick guide command sheet.
Personality - I don't consider it a con really but from reading around some people do. Yes R2 does have some personality and yes he can get testy at times and may not listen to you. He may wander off if you ignore him as well. Some of this is just getting used to him though. For starters (as stated in the manual) he cannot hear if he is moving or beeping (think one track mind) so standing there and yelling at him while he is roaming about will only annoy you. A simple tap on the head and he'll stop and be ready for your commands. He also has a "wheel lock" button (smart feature) that can be pressed at any time to stop him from moving. There are also "reset system" and "behave yourself" commands to put him back on track if you feel he is being too independent. You'll learn over time that certain things do put him in a bad mood and certain things cheer him up. And worse case you can always switch him off and back on for a total reset.
A note I'd like to make also is that when he wanders off on his own some people may think he is malfunctioning because he'll move slowly and his motors make a humming noise which is different from patrol mode where he moves full speed at all times. Don't worry, he's not broken. He is in "follow me" mode (a hidden command) where he uses his sonar and heat sensors to follow a heat source around. But if he gets close to something he slows down and looks at it to see if he can follow it. If you walk around him slowly you'll see that he follows you and if you move toward him he'll back up. I wanted to add this because I think it may be another source of confusion in people thinking he's not working as he should. Just tap the head to snap him out of it.
Over all I say it has been a positive experience but do understand some folk's frustration. I do think some of this can be attributed to not taking the time to get to know R2. I too got frustrated at first but with a little patience I quickly became very happy with the little guy.
Description of Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Astromech Droid Robot
Once the loyal companion to Queen Amdala, this roughly 14" utility droid is now programmed to be your devoted helper and friend. Grab his attention by saying "Hey, Artoo!" and he's ready for more than 40 voice commands! Ask him if he remembers his famous friends, like Luke Skywalker, C-3PO or Jabba the Hutt. Each name will stir up a different response depending on Artoo's "feelings" for that character. Just a few of Artoo's amazing attributes include moving along on his own, turning his front beam on and off, and even playing a secret message when you follow the proper voice commands. In "Game" mode, Artoo plays the hide-and-seek game of Light Tag, dances to cantina music, guards your room with his sentry alarm , or even jazzes up your next party with "Spin The Droid." Once you've mastered Artoo's "companion" and "game" modes, move on to "command" mode for plotting real-time maneuvering or programmed courses for the droid to follow! Artoo also boasts a secret cargo compartment and a unique swing-down utility arm that's also a beverage holder! Window box packaging.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.
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 The realistic details of R2-D2 will please collectors young and old. View larger. |
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. |
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