Star Wars Fan Built R2D2 from Scratch, Plans to Make Second Astromech Called R2SG

A Singaporean has built a real-life, moving and working R2D2! Yes, that is true! In a report featured in The Straits Times on November 2015, Mr Ng Hak Beng confirms that he has built an R2D2 of his own, from scratch!

Reluctant to take the limelight

The IT consultant has been reluctant to take the limelight for years because he wanted R2D2 to have its own magic wherever it goes. When he finally agrees to come under the limelight, the humble creator of R2D2 continues to emphasise his desire to preserve the image of R2D2 as real and autonomous.

The droid has taken Mr Ng one and a half years to build it and cost him more than $15,000. The droid is fully functional and is able to make beeping sounds exactly like the one in the movies.

The building process had been a tough one as the astromech droid’s head consist of an outer and inner layer, both of which requires complete precision to perfectly position R2D2’s hologram eyes and lenses in each hole.

“I sat in the kitchen, with sandpaper wrapped around a bottle and patiently smoothened the edges for months.”

According to Mr Ng, the head is the real test to see if builders can see through their project and complete it. “If you have the time and patience to finish it, the likelihood of completing the whole droid is very high,” He assured. For aspiring builders, this advice should be taken to heart.

Mr Ng’s R2D2 can make 25 different sounds, including beeps and shrieks. These are all recorded from various Star Wars films.

Whenever a girl tries to kiss the droid, it will quote the famous line by Princess Leia in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977): “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” That has probably brought about a lot of laughter and blushes from the public!

Mr Ng has taken R2D2 for charity shows and Star Wars related events. The droid has garnered squeals of delights and surprise by both adults and children alike. R2D2 is a well-liked character in Star Wars and fans that have followed Star Wars through the years are likely to be a fan of R2D2.

The sheer joy of meeting R2D2 is a priceless experience for most people. “There was even an elderly guy who was happy to take a photo with R2D2, and it was the last thing I expected.” Mr Ng said with a grin.

Builders have code to remain incognito when with R2D2

According to an online registry open only to members, there is a community of about 7000 Star Wars fan in the world who has attempted to build their own version of the loveable droid, and Mr Ng is one of the 130 of them who managed to complete the droid.

Apparently, R2D2 builders around the world have a code of sorts to remain incognito whenever they bring their completed droid out for a run in order to preserve the magic of R2D2. Therefore, he would stand far from the droid whenever he brings it out for a show, controlling the robot covertly.

He would hide the remote control in his bag and uses one hand to control it without openly showing the remote control. The robot can be controlled from 3km away so it is easy for Mr Ng to remain incognito.

In fact, he is planning to build a camera in it so that he can control it without being anywhere near to it.

R2SG

When asked if he would be building C3PO or BB-8 as a companion to his R2D2, Mr Ng said, “Of course, I’d love to, but those would be really difficult. That’s not feasible for now.” However, he is contemplating on building another R2D2 droid – one that he jokingly calls R2SG.

“I actually bought enough spare parts to build another R2D2. I was thinking of painting it red and white to make it Singaporean. We’ll see if the day comes.” He said.

So while we are waiting for R2SG, you can check out the below video of R2D2 making its rounds at Takashimaya.

Top Image: straitstimes.com

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com