R2-R9 Droid

Cost: $12,000
Time: 3 years

Engineer Jerry Greene built this R2-R9 droid, seen in Episode I of the Star Wars series, because, he says, everyone makes R2-D2s. Working with the members of an international droid-builders club, he drew up blueprints and then machined and cut the parts of his all-metal robot. Using an R/C helicopter remote, he can steer it, activate a fog machine inside to simulate a smoky breakdown, and even play various audio clips. A flash drive storing prerecorded R2 sounds from the movies is hooked up to a sound card and a pair of speakers hidden behind two vents. And yes, the kids—and adults—love it.
Details at r2-r9.com

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