The 3PO-series protocol droid, also known as the 3PO-series protocol unit, was a model of protocol droid produced by Cybot Galactica sometime prior to the Invasion of Naboo. They were equipped with a TranLang III communication module, and as a result were fluent in over 6 million forms of communication. C-3PO was an example of this model, though he was rebuilt out of spare parts. TC-series protocol droids appeared similar to 3PO units.
The 3-PO units head housed its AA-1 VerboBrain.
The 3PO-series protocol droid, also known as the 3PO-series protocol unit, was a third class droid manufactured by Cybot Galactica. Stood at 1.7 meters tall and equipped with a TranLang III communication module, the protocol droid model was fluent in over 6 million forms of communication. Constructed by a young Anakin Skywalker from spare parts in the city of Mos Espa on the planet Tatooine, C-3PO was a 3PO-series droid. The model appeared similar to the TC-series protocol droid, and both were in use by the time of the Invasion of Naboo in 32 BBY.
3PO-series protocol units operating for the Senate of the Galactic Republic had yellow photoreceptors and bore blue-colored platings with white accents, echoing the color scheme of the Senate Guard's armor.
The droid could be purchased from the manufacturer, but a consumer could buy a kit to build it themselves.
The 3PO-series droid C-3PO met a predecessor to his line, an Autonomous Translator Module, during the Imperial Era but found the unit to be very rude.
3PO-series droids were a modern model of protocol droid that succeeded the likes of the ancient Autonomous Translator Module, Mark II. Known as the "talker droid" or "talky," the Autonomous Translator Module had its heyday but, in time, fell out of use. Despite being used as a protocol droid, the talky lacked the diplomacy modules seen in later protocol droids. While he knew the talky to be a predecessor to his own model, 3PO unit C-3PO regarded the talky as an inelegant, blocky design. Indeed, by the time of the 3PO-series, droid design had been streamlined instead of remaining like that of the talky.
3PO droids in the Senate Office Building of the capital planet Coruscant served as aides, carrying drinks for senators, including the Supreme Chancellor. During the Clone Wars' Senate hostage crisis, one such droid occupied the Office Building's power control room, which was the operations center for not only power to the main structure itself, but also the Senate Building. This crucial waypoint for power supply was targeted by a group of bounty hunters led by the infamous Cad Bane. One of the group's IG-86 sentinel droid unit, HELIOS-3E, shot the Senatorial protocol droid as they stormed the control room.
A Senatorial protocol droid trailed after Senator Dantum Roohd aboard Duchess Satine Kryze's starship, the Coronet, as it ferried a delegation led by Kryze from the world of Mandalore to Coruscant. At another point, a blue-white model followed Senator Mee Deechi through the corridors of the Senate Office Building. During a meeting with Senator Padmé Amidala about the Confederate–Republic peace initiative, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was supplied a beverage by a Senatorial protocol droid at the Chancellor's Suite. Jedi Ahsoka Tano and Vice Chair Mas Amedda were also present, although none consumed the drinks offered.
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