BB-8

BB-8 is a Droid in the Star Wars universe. He is the personal astromech droid of Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.

Biography

BB-8 traveled with Poe Dameron to the planet Jakku to gather information that would help locate Luke Skywalker. After Poe gathered the intel (in the form of a digital map) and the First Order attacked, BB-8 was entrusted with the map and asked to flee until Poe could meet up with the droid. BB-8 managed to escape the First Order and rolled into the Jakku desert.

The next day, BB-8 was trapped in a net by the scavenger Teedo. BB-8's beeping was overheard by Rey, who came to the droid's rescue. Rey attempted to brush BB-8 away, but the ball droid convinced her to take it in, at least for a night. BB-8 and Rey traveled to Niima Outpost so Rey could sell some scrap. Rey learned that there was something special about BB-8 when Unkar Plutt offered 60 portions for the droid. Rey refused the trade, but was attacked later that day by muscle working for Plutt. After this fight, BB-8 noticed that a man was wearing Poe's flight jacket and worked with Rey confront this man, whom turned out to be Finn. Finn explained that Poe had died in a crash, but that he (Finn) was part of the Resistance. Soon after this meeting, the First Order attacked Niima Outpost, forcing the two humans and the droid to flee aboard a piece of garbage (the Millennium Falcon).

BB-8 traveled with Rey and Finn as they escaped Jakku. The Falcon was soon boarded by Han Solo and Chewbacca. When Rey and Finn tried to convince Han to help them get BB-8 to the Resistance, the droid displayed the map Poe had given him. When the Guavin Death Gang and Kangiklub came for Han Solo, BB-8 managed to flee aboard the Falcon with the rest of the heroes. The droid next traveled to the planet Takodana to visit Maz Kanata. While in Maz's castle, BB-8 witnessed Ray's reaction to touching Luke's lightsaber and was present when the First Order attacked. The attack was stopped by Resistance X-Wings being led by Poe. 

After the battle on Takodana, BB-8 was taken to the Resistance headquarters on D'Qar. BB-8 and Poe were reunited and the broid joined the pilot on a mission to destroy Starkiller Base. Thanks to damage to the superweapon's structure by Han and Chewbacca, Poe and BB-8 managed to destroy Starkiller Base. 

Back at the Resistance headquarters, BB-8 worked with the newly reactivated R2-D2 to complete the map that helpped Rey get to Luke. 

Bb8 b.jpg

Description

BB-8's main body is spherical in shape. It is approximately half the height of R2-D2. BB-8's dome portion is similar in size and shape to other R2 units. With no visible wheels, BB-8's primary method of motion comes from rolling its body like a large ball. BB-8 is also able to insert itself into the droid slot of the new Incom T-70 X-Wing, where he serves as an astromech droid. 

BB-8 has overally developed self-preservation protocals that have resulted in the droid being skittish and esily frightened. This same system has developed a loyalty subprogram that cannot be overwritten. 

BB-8's rolling motion is controlled by an internal orbiculate motivator which keeps his head centered using magnetic casters. Wireless signals travel from the head to the body, allowing control without a traditional, physical connection. For additional mobility, BB-8 can fire compressed liquid cable launchers that can stick to most surfaces. 

The large orange circules on BB-8's body are swappable tool-bay disk. These can be replaced or upgraded to grant BB-8 new fuctions or to keep his current tools up to date.

BB-8 is a practical effects model rather than a computer-generated effect. He is voiced by comedians Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz running their voices through voice altering software. These sounds in the movie are represented by 27th generation droidspeak. 

Appearances

• Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens