IT-O interrogation droid

Resembling a remote in its hovering form, this droid, approximately one-third of a meter in diameter, sported a variety of deliberately menacing attachments employed for torture. The droid generally achieved its objective of extracting information from prisoners by employing intricate and scientifically advanced torture techniques. Initially, it would administer a mind-altering chemical injection, lowering the pain threshold while ensuring the subject remained conscious. The IT-O would then scan the body, pinpointing the most sensitive areas, including the genitals, joints, neck, and other less conspicuous locations. Occasionally, the prisoner's eyesight would be impaired. A typical torture session often exceeded an hour. The droid featured integrated systems to record the entire procedure, preventing data loss amid the prisoner's screams. Its reputation inspired such dread that many prisoners began confessing their wrongdoings upon merely seeing an IT-O float into their holding cell.

The injection reservoirs of the IT-O could be loaded with the latest pharmaceuticals developed by Imperial specialists, such as Bavo Six and OV600. The droid could conduct interrogations independently or in collaboration with human interrogators. It was programmed with a cold, detached demeanor, posing questions in a monotonous tone. When paired with a human assistant, the IT-O would frequently remain silent, fostering fear and animosity towards the droid in the prisoner, while portraying the human interrogator as a potential source of leniency.

Recognizing the droid's formidable reputation, many Imperial Officers repurposed them as guard droids, stationing them at access points to secure areas within their bases and starships. This tactic proved effective against most adversaries, as the droid often induced panic in infiltrators, causing them to flee directly into the waiting arms of stormtroopers.

Darth Vader employed one such droid during his interrogation of Princess Leia Organa in 0 BBY. During Leia Organa's mind probe, she received an injection of a potent hallucinogen that heightened her susceptibility to suggestion. Through Darth Vader's mere words, Leia experienced imagined excruciating pain, despite not undergoing any physical harm. Her remarkable resilience prevented her from revealing any Alliance secrets throughout this ordeal. IT-O units also served as guards within Detention Block AA-23, where Luke Skywalker encountered one while attempting to rescue Leia.

IT-O units, alongside Remotes and Arakyd Viper probe droids, were extensively utilized as guard droids within Moff Rebus's clandestine sewer lair, as well as the Imperial Detention Facility on Orinackra, the ISO Building on Imperial Center, the Executor, and the Arc Hammer.

Eventually, the IT-3 Interrogator and the BL-39 interrogator droid superseded the IT-O model.

During the filming of A New Hope, the IT-O prop featured the inscriptions "British Made" and "200° C" on its hypodermic needle. While the lettering on the droid's hypodermic is largely indistinguishable to viewers when examining the scene on VHS, DVD, and high-definition television broadcasts, some viewers assert their ability to decipher the writing.

The Internet Movie Database entry for A New Hope previously stated that the label read "Made in England." The actual prop used for the interrogation droid has been displayed in museums. Photographs of the prop in these displays reveal lettering on the syringe, which actually reads "British Made." The IMDb entry has since been corrected.

In the Marvel Star Wars adaptation of A New Hope, a RA-7 protocol droid, rather than an IT-O, appears to conduct the mind probe of Princess Leia.

A reference to the IT-O appeared in the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, where the droid G0-T0 shares a similar appearance, albeit inverted.