BB-8: The Adorable Droid from Star Wars
Summary
In this article, we will delve into the creation of BB-8, the cute and lovable droid from the Star Wars franchise. We will explore the various versions of BB-8, the team behind its creation, and some interesting facts about this high-tech machine.
Table of Contents
- The Birth of BB-8
- The Various Versions of BB-8
- Interesting Facts About BB-8
The Birth of BB-8
BB-8 was born out of a simple sketch made by Director J.J. Abrams on the back of a napkin. The sketch featured two circles, one on top of the other, with a tiny dot for an eye. Despite its simplicity, the core concept of BB-8 was there. The team then set out to create seven BB-8 droids for various uses, which took 12 people four months to complete.
The Various Versions of BB-8
The team behind BB-8 created various versions of the droid for different purposes. This includes a stunt BB-8 and a bowling ball version, in case they needed a madcap BB-8 to whiz through the frame. There was also a puppeteer BB-8, a functional robot operated by up to three roboticists. Additionally, there was a lightweight BB-8, which could be carried by the actors if necessary.
BB-8 weighs approximately 40 pounds and stands at 2 feet, 2 and a half inches tall, making him shorter than R2-D2. His head swivels a full 360 degrees, and he has six swappable, circular tool bay discs. When he does get going, watch out because his top speed is just under 7 miles per hour. BB-8 uses a gyroscope to determine which way is down and two wheels to move the sphere from inside. The base plate serves as a counterweight to keep the wheels acting against the lower half of the sphere.
Interesting Facts About BB-8
You may think BB-8 is powered by pure cuteness, but it’s actually powered by NiMH batteries. It takes two hours to fully charge him. Speaking of high-powered machines, the Japanese airline ANA has decked out three commercial jets in Star Wars liveries, including one plane themed after BB-8.
In conclusion, BB-8 is not just a cute and lovable droid, but a high-tech machine that took a lot of hard work and dedication to create. From a simple sketch on a napkin to a fully functional robot, BB-8 has captured the hearts of Star Wars fans around the world.
