Post by Marcus Starkiller on Oct 19, 2006 19:56:11 GMT -5
The P2-series astromech droid was Industrial Automaton's first astromech droid prototype, using a design that would later prove popular with the R2-series astromech droids.
The P2-series were 2.2 meter tall astromech droids with three wheeled legs, a rotating head dome, and retractable manipulator arms. The design was not successful at this point, however; the P2 droids were cumbersome, sluggish and clumsy. The droids were fitted with primitive Intellex II ship-configuration computers, and were able to communicate only through the use of its video display screen or computer link. Design glitches were common in these units, including a poorly-coded maneuverability routine that made the P2 ungainly and very clumsy.
Despite these faults, the P2 proved popular among star captains in the merchant fleets of the Galactic Republic. The P2 unit was a capable maintenance droid, with a buzz saw and laser cutter that made it handy for repair work. Because of its size, the P2 was commonly found aboard large bulk cruisers or container vessels.
Industrial Automaton was in the process of finalizing plans to make the P2-series publicly available when the company ran into trouble. Industrial Automaton was hit with a technology-infringement lawsuit, and though the case was eventually dropped, legal delays and bad publicity forced the company to scrap the P2 design. Industrial Automaton recovered from the blow, and followed up the P2-series with the R1 unit.