In an interview with Star Wars Universe, robotic designer Tony Dyson (who created the R2-D2 items for “The Empire Strikes Again”) talked concerning the greatest problem when working with R2 — the robotic’s third leg.
“The general design of R2 tends to be a bit of unstable, because of the truth that the legs are related to the best a part of the physique,” Dyson mentioned. “Subsequently, when the third leg extends, the entire unit needs to be restrained from shifting ahead.” Dyson defined that the third leg is pushed down by digital activators and that the foot has a drive wheel that strikes the leg ahead when involved with the bottom, which in flip twists the physique till it reaches its stopping level. “When it locks off, this varieties a tripod configuration and also needs to enable the droid to drive on tough floor and even mount stairs,” he mentioned. “That is the idea anyway.”
R2 was not the one droid that prompted issues for its designers, or its actors. Identical to Kenny Baker had a really uncomfortable time in his two roles within the “Star Wars” motion pictures, “The Empire Strikes Again” prompted Anthony Daniels loads of discomfort whereas enjoying C-3PO. Through the scene within the Millennium Falcon the place C-3PO was nonetheless being put again collectively, Daniels needed to stand on one leg whereas carrying the total go well with.