The V6-series pilot droid was Industrial Automaton's next iteration, following their commercially successful V1-series pilot droid model. Similar to other pilot droids, their purpose was to augment or stand in for organic pilots on spacecraft and starships.
The V6's physical structure bore resemblance to a typical Industrial Automaton astromech droid, featuring a cylindrical body, a head shaped like a truncated cone, and a height reaching one meter. The hardware components, encompassing three wheeled legs (with one being retractable), a retractable arm, and a starship interface jack, mirrored those of the V1. The standard software package for V6 units represented an upgrade from the V1, tailored for piloting vessels on journeys of greater duration.
In addition to computer and space transport repair proficiencies, basic starfighter repair programming was included. The astrogation and piloting programs were enhanced compared to the V1, and the memory was capable of storing five sets of hyperspace navigation coordinates, an increase from the V1's capacity of three. These enhancements resulted in a higher cost for the V6—a brand new unit was priced at 17,800 credits, in contrast to the V1's price of 11,800 credits. Even pre-owned units could fetch prices as high as 12,000 credits.
Both the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the Galactic Empire made use of V6 droids. However, smugglers and other spacers frequently operating outside legal boundaries held them in disfavor. This aversion stemmed partly from the V6's propensity to become panicked during combat situations, and partly from the requirement that a V6's owner undergo thorough background checks and acquire costly permits before being authorized to allow the V6 to pilot a starship.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the Clone Wars, various limitations were put in place concerning piloting droids. It was mandatory for V6 units to undergo a memory wipe following each flight to prevent the accumulation of tactical knowledge.
