Seeker (droid)
A target is rendered immobile by a seeker droid.
Seekers represented a particular class of remote. They were programmed to locate a designated target, with the express purpose of either capturing or eliminating them.
Description
These seekers were compact, spherical gadgets, exhibiting a visual resemblance to remotes.
History
The Galactic Republic was responsible for the development of seekers. Initially, they were conceived as non-lethal devices. Their intended functions encompassed locating specific individuals, supporting investigations, and even serving as emergency bodyguards.
Following the ascent of the Galactic Empire, seekers experienced an increase in their operational autonomy. They were equipped with deadly weaponry to enable the termination of their assigned target, should it become necessary. These seekers were frequently assigned kill orders and were deployed against individuals deemed "enemies of the state" by Imperial officers. This category included political adversaries, identified Alliance operatives, and even competing officers. Imperial search droids could be sent out to locate or hunt a specific person. Haninum Tyk Rhinann employed them in his pursuit of Jax Pavan.
The Fromm Gang utilized seekers to protect their territory, as well as mines.
With the New Republic's assumption of galactic governance, lethal seekers were outlawed. Despite their continued use, seekers were subject to stringent restrictions, being employed by law enforcement agencies for surveillance and security purposes. These units were exclusively armed with stun blasters.
Behind the scenes
Search droids appeared in a preliminary version of the 1999 prequel trilogy film, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. In this draft, the droids were associated with the Trade Federation Droid Army and were dispatched to locate the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi by 22D-R under the orders of the B1 battle droid OOM-9. One of these droids tracked Kenobi to the underwater Gungan city of Otoh Gunga, where Kenobi destroyed it. The 1999 CD-ROM Star Wars: Episode I Insider's Guide acknowledged their role in the screenplay and also referred to them as "remote seekers."