R2D2 gets a new brain

While it’s fun to buy toys that look like your favorite sci-fi props, it’s less fun if the electronics inside don’t live up to the physical design. [Steve Gibbs] took one Hasbro R2D2 toy robot and decided to give him a brain upgrade along with improved sensors. Below you can see a video of the robot doing its thing and some construction details.

In this case, Hasbro’s toys didn’t work at all, so [Steve] rescued it from the dumpster. Instead of repairing it, he decided to just take it apart and rebuild it with modern electronics. The ultrasonic sensor on the front toe is a dead giveaway.

The robot responds better to voice commands than the original and can play sound effects and clips from Star Wars. You can also control the robot with a phone app. The new or improved sensors include microphones, a PIR sensor, a photoresistor to detect light, smoke and CO₂ sensor, a computer vision camera and of course the ultrasonic range finder.

Some motors and the original speaker are in use, but R2 now has additional LEDs and servos. All extras required surgery on the plastic case. Instead of regular batteries, the bot now uses a LiPo battery, so the old battery compartment has been cut out to make more room.

Even if you’re not a die-hard Star Wars fan, this is a fantastic project, and May 4 is just around the corner. These toys aren’t cheap, but if you can score one with shoddy electronics, you might be able to find something cheap or – like Steve – even free.

These toys are a popular target for hackers. Now [Steve] needs a pit droid.