RA-7 protocol droid

Attributes

The RA-7 series shared a humanoid form factor, but possessed an insectoid-like head. Its build was similar to the 3PO-series protocol droids. These droids were covered in a reflective metallic coating and were commonly seen in the offices of high-ranking Imperial personnel, including military officers, courtiers, and dignitaries on Coruscant. The droid's primary function was to assist its owner with tasks such as scheduling and translation. In contrast to the often sensitive 3PO-series droids, RA-7s were programmed to be "stern" and generally lacked distinct personalities.

A secret surveillance system was integrated into the RA-7's head, hidden beneath seemingly harmless cognitive circuits. This espionage unit was concealed behind sensor bafflers that were disguised as soldering welds. It utilized highly sensitive audio pickups and low-light photoreceptors to record everything. The droid periodically transmitted data dumps via encrypted frequencies on standard public comm units to the Imperial Security Bureau.

Background

The RA-7 series was initially unveiled at the North Quadrant Intergalactic Automaton Show on the planet Aargau. Arakyd Industries designed the model as an attempt to replicate the capabilities of the 3PO series of protocol droids, but it largely fell short of that goal. An early prototype, designated 4A-7, was used by Separatist operative Asajj Ventress during the Clone Wars around 22 BBY.

Despite its limited utility, the RA-7 became widespread throughout the Empire by 0 BBY due to a scheme orchestrated by the Imperial Security Bureau to use the droids for espionage. The ISB ordered thousands of RA-7s from Arakyd and programmed them to function as spies. Because few individuals would willingly purchase an RA-7 as an assistant, the ISB distributed them as gifts. As targets of these droids discovered hidden recording devices and surveillance equipment within the nearly useless machines, they began to hide, misplace, or abandon them to avoid suspicion and accusations of treason for rejecting a gift from the Emperor. Consequently, these droids often ended up in junk shops, droid auctions, or swap meets.

Some RA-7 droids were deployed on Star Destroyers to monitor medical equipment, such as life support capsules.

The RA-7 droid surveillance program was discontinued by the Bureau shortly after 1 ABY due to the destruction of many of the droids and the discovery of their true purpose.

Foreboding Designation

As the first Death Star neared completion, the Bureau became concerned that Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin might attempt to use the superweapon to overthrow the Empire. Unable to trust the Grand Moff or his subordinates, the Bureau deployed thousands of RA-7 droids on the Death Star, which led to them being called "Death Star droids."

Notable Examples

• 4A-7
• 4A-2R
• 5D6-RA-7
• 3B6-RA-7
• MB-RA-7

Behind the Cameras

An RA-7 unit can be seen inside the Jawas' sandcrawler after R2-D2 is dropped in after being disabled by the Jawas in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. A second RA-7, colored black, is briefly visible later in the film as it walks past Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker outside the Death Star elevator doors.

Kenner released a Death Star Droid figure as part of its second series of action figures in 1978. The droid was also featured as a Power of the Force 2 Freeze Frame Fan Club Exclusive in 1999. This black Death Star Droid was packaged with a mouse droid model and a Freeze Frame slide.

In Star Wars (1977) 2, the Marvel Comics adaptation of A New Hope by Marvel Comics, Darth Vader uses an RA-7 unit to torture Leia Organa instead of an IT-O Interrogator.

In Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, the "Death Star Droid" can be spawned by entering the command "npc spawn protocol_imp".

Somewhat ironically, the droid appears as the "guide" droid for the Zann Consortium in Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption, taking the place of R2 or a black Imperial astromech droid.