Droids in the Galaxy
Droids in the Galaxy
Droids are one of the fundamental technologies of the galaxy. They are intelligent automatons programmed to perform very specific functions. Droids are often used for tasks which are too complex, dangerous, or even dull for organic beings. Droids may be programmed to excel at one or two specific types of functions at the expense of having the versatility of organics.
Due to their highly-developed logic circuits, droids lack the intuitive and associative capabilities of many organic species. Droids, in addition to high intelligence and the capacity for learning, are normally programmed to exhibit a specific personality in order to make them more palatable to organics.
Droids take a variety of forms, from aesthetically pleasing humanoid shapes to the stark functionality of an astromech or probe droid. Many droids have normal speech capabilities for easy communication with other beings, although some are limited to high-density electronic languages that only other droids can interpret with any ease.
Droid Classification by Function
• First Degree Droids: Usually utilitarian in disposition, droids of this class are programmed with the physical sciences, medical sciences, or mathematics in mind. First degree droids are usually teamed up with organic counterparts to facilitate the completion of any specific task. The 2-1B surgical droid is an example of a first degree droid.
• Second Degree Droids: This type of droid is frequently designed for functionality over aesthetics. A second degree unit's ability is often overlooked by the uninformed, simply because of the droid's physical appearance. The lack of advanced personality programming on many models adds to this common misconception. Second degree droids are programmed for environmental, engineering, and technical duties as well as applied sciences. Astromech droids—such as the famed R2-series—are second degree droids.
• Third Degree Droids: The most common models to be seen with organic beings are third degree droids. They are designed and programmed with the social sciences in mind, specializing in protocol, translation, organic relations, teaching, diplomatic, and other functions that put them in regular contact with organics. As such, these droids tend to be physically designed in the mold of their makers, or the manufacturer's intended customer base. Protocol units like the 3PO and Siak-series are classified as third degree droids.
• Fourth Degree Droids: Such units are illegal in most systems. Fourth degree droids are designed for military and security operations. After several accidents involving the design and manufacture of these "mechanical soldiers," the use of fourth degree droids was prohibited, except for certain models designed for legitimate military use. Although publicly denouncing the use of lethal droids for any operation, the Empire (as well as several underworld organizations) use fourth degree droids in an assassin capacity. Defense droids, like the G-2RD, are fourth degree droids.
• Fifth Degree Droids: Similar to primitive robotic units, fifth degree droids are typically programmed for menial duties such as simple lifting, mining, salvage, transportation, sanitation, and waste control. Fifth degree droids generally perform tasks deemed unfit or impossible for organic life. This class of droid is seldom equipped with any advanced knowledge processors, save for those that are required to perform an intended task. Fifth degree droids are the most common (and most affordable) found throughout the galaxy. The BLX-series labor unit is but one of the many fifth degree droids found throughout the galaxy.
Source: REUP:368