The 2-1B surgical droid, also referenced as the 2-1B-series medical droid or simply the 2-1B medical droid, represented a medical droid model widely used across the expanse of the galaxy.
The naming convention of the 2-1B-series—a two, followed by a digit, and then a letter—mirrored that of the 2-0A medical droid that was operational during the High Republic Era. Exhibiting a humanoid form, every 2-1B series droid came standard with expansive encyclopedic memory storage. These memory banks, combined with their interchangeable limbs, ensured optimal medical care in any situation. These droids also included stabilizing feet, hydraulic legs, vocabulators, transparent hydraulic coverings, and, in some cases, hypodermic injectors.
The 2-1B droids were known for their exceptional joint flexibility, paired with precisely engineered servogrip pincers that could be swapped out for different attachments based on the situation. Upgrades allowed them to specialize in fields such as neurosurgery, alien biology, cybernetic limb replacements, pediatrics, and even podiatry. While primarily intended for treating humans, they could also address the illnesses and injuries of countless species using their extensive data libraries. They frequently collaborated with FX-7 medical droids. Their programming included fluency in numerous languages to facilitate patient care.
The 2-1B droids were a popular choice dating back to the Republic Era. Several 2-1B droids were part of Ajax Sigma's army during the High Republic Era. One such droid transitioned into bartending at Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina on Tatooine. Other similar droids were stationed on the Resolute and the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center. The BU-series bartender droid and the DG-1B catering droid shared the same chassis design as the 2-1B droid.
The droid TB-2 was a 2-1B droid assigned to the G9 Rigger-class light freighter Twilight during the Clone Wars. Initially a hologram, it was eventually given a physical body and stationed on both the Twilight and the Venator-class Star Destroyer Resolute due to its proven value.
Various 2-1B units were deployed on planets like Naboo, Alderaan, and Coruscant. On Naboo, a 2-1B droid assisted Senator Padmé Amidala, Gregar Typho, Queen Neeyutnee, Jar Jar Binks, and C-3PO in their attempt to extract information from a tactical droid named TR-350 concerning the droid's presence there. While they were unsuccessful in extracting the data, Jar Jar inadvertently discovered the solution.
A 2-1B droid was present on Alderaan. Senator Amidala journeyed there to attend a meeting regarding refugees displaced by the Clone Wars. However, bounty hunter Aurra Sing attempted to assassinate her during her speech. Padawan Ahsoka Tano prevented a direct hit, but Sing managed to wound the Naboo senator in the arm, causing her to lose consciousness. The droid provided medical care and assured a concerned Tano that the senator would recover fully, as the injury was minor.
A 2-1B unit was stationed within the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. This droid treated Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi following his faked death and loaded the [facial transformation program](/article/facial_transformation_program] to alter his appearance to resemble the bounty hunter Rako Hardeen.
A 2-1B unit was providing medical assistance to Grand Minister Stin of Clabron. The Separatist assassin Lis Mohles, dispatched by the Confederacy of Independent Systems, aimed to eliminate him for aligning with the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. Stin instructed the medical droid to tend to Amidala's aide Moteé, who had been shot in the shoulder.
Near the Clone Wars' conclusion, a 2-1B surgical droid was present at the Grand Republic Medical Facility alongside a DD-13 medical assistant droid, FX-6, and an FX-9 surgical assistant. These droids played a crucial role in reconstructing Darth Vader's body after his defeat by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar in 19 BBY. The three droids were later relocated to Fortress Vader on Mustafar.
During the Imperial Era, the Galactic Empire utilized millions of 2-1B droids throughout its domain. One such unit gained sentience and became known as 2-1B Delta.
The 2-1B droid G2-1B7 aided the Partisans during the early rebellion against the Empire. G2-1B7 was crucial in keeping the Partisans' leader, Saw Gerrera, alive given his failing health.
2-1B was another significant surgical droid. Serving the Alliance to Restore the Republic, he performed surgery on Alliance Commander Luke Skywalker. This droid treated Skywalker with bacta following an attack by a Wampa, and was later specifically requested by Skywalker to treat him again after Skywalker lost his hand in a duel with Darth Vader. He later joined the crew of the Home One during the Battle of Endor. MHD-19 was yet another 2-1B serving the Alliance.
During the New Republic Era, the 2-1B droid 2MED2 supported the Resistance during the Cold War. He was tasked with helping a team of Resistance fighters transport the First Order RA-7 protocol droid O-MR1, who was thought to possess knowledge of the location of Admiral Gial Ackbar, who had been captured by the First Order. En route to the Resistance base, the team's ship crashed on an uncharted planet, leaving only 2MED2, O-MR1, the protocol droid C-3PO, the construction droid CO-34, and the two security droids PZ-99 and VL-44 as survivors. The group of droids collaborated to find their way home, but all except C-3PO and O-MR1 were destroyed by indigenous creatures. 2MED2 was destroyed during an attack by a can-cell.
The 2-1B surgical droid made its debut in the 1980 original trilogy film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner. Its official identification within canon occurred in the 2015 reference book Ultimate Star Wars, authored by Ryder Windham, Tricia Barr, Adam Bray, and Daniel Wallace. In Star Wars Legends, its initial appearance was in the novelization of Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut, published before the film's release.