- Appeared in:
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
CW
- Size:
1.5 meters
- Type:
medical droid / surgical droid
- Manufacturer:
Geentech Corporation (Later, Industrial Automaton)
-
A type of medical droid found throughout the galaxy, 2-1B units are roughly humanoid-appearing droids with surgical manipulation appendages, medical diagnostic computers and treatment analysis computers. For detailed patient status information, a 2-1B relies on medical instrumentation or useful analysis droids like FX-7. An old reliable droid model developed by a collaborative venture between the now-defunct Geentech Corporation and Industrial Automaton, the 2-1B is considered a classic droid design, and a welcome, comforting sight to the ailing and infirm. The droid is often equipped with a pleasing, soothing demeanor, particularly models that perform general practitioner functions.
One particular unit, called Too-Onebee, was the medical and surgeon droid that was stationed with the core group of Rebel Alliance soldiers on Hoth's Echo Base. Before his career in the Rebellion, Onebee was once a medical droid in the employ of Lord Cuvir, a draconian Imperial Governor. He was liberated from Cuvir's service by Alliance Intelligence agent Tay "Tiree" Vanis. This humanoid mechanical then aided Luke Skywalker several times, most notably during the events surrounding the Battle of Hoth. He revived Luke from a state of dormo-shock after the young commander suffered exposure to the Hoth elements. After Luke's confrontation with Darth Vader on Bespin, Too-Onebee affixed Luke with a cybernetic hand. Too-Onebee also monitored Luke's health when Skywalker succumbed to the mysterious Crimson Forever illness after the Battle of Hoth. During the evacuation of Hoth's Echo Base, Too-Onebee and his assistant FX-7 fled aboard the last transport to leave Hoth, the Bright Hope. The transport was waylaid by bounty hunters Zuckuss and 4-LOM, but was ultimately able to rejoin the rest of the Rebel Fleet.
Not surprisingly in the supply-strapped Rebel Alliance, Too-Onebee also assisted in unexpected capacities, such as operating holographic projectors during Rebel briefings.
Behind the Scenes
Concept sketches for 2-1B suggest that the droid's design came about from rejected masks that human surgeons would wear. Early notes described 2-1B as a droid with a "human brain." The puppet designed and constructed for
The Empire Strikes Back incorporated a very recognizable retro Unidyne microphone component for its "mouth." For its brief appearance in
Star Wars: Episode III
Revenge of the Sith, the 2-1B unit was realized as a computer-generated model.
The droid is also known for its stint freelancing for the Star Wars Insider, where he wrote a cantankerous advice column.
