MR-Series Utility Astromech

[Star Wars Legacies]

MR Series

Utility Astromech​

Affiliation:
Open Market

Manufacturer:
Best Quality Mechanicals, Inc.

Class:
Astromech

Locomotion:
Wheeled Power Supply:
48hr Rechargeable power cell

Sensors:
1x Electro-Photo Receptor
1x Audio Sensor

Size:
0.9m Tall

Composition:
Plastoid

Tools and Equipment:

• Computer interface arm
• Manipulator Arm
• Reader socket
• Astrogation Calculator
• Holoprojector/Spotlight
• Tool Wheel
• Magnetic Wheels

DESCRIPTION​

The MR-series is a bargain-basement astromech droid produced by the Best Quality Mechanicals Corporation, a fly-by-night Outer Rim droid manufacturer with a reputation for moving its operations from planet to planet in search of cheap labor and component suppliers. BQM's offerings tend to be of questionable quality, and the MR - commonly known as the "Mushroom Droid" due to its shape - is no exception. It's only real saving grace is its incredibly low price point.

Housed within its casing are a collection of basic sensors and tool systems, directed by a simplistic droid brain sourced from Geist Cognitive Systems. This component is widely considered to be the most frustrating aspect of the droid for new owners; out of the box, new MRs tend to be rigid and uncreative, though more distinct personalities tend to emerge after some time, especially if the droids are not subjected to regular memory wipes. The MR does not have built-in tools as many other astromechs do. Instead, it is equipped with an internal rotary tool magazine, capable of storing up to a dozen small hand tools, supplied by the droid's owner. When needed, these tools are rotated into the grasp of the MR's single manipulator arm, which is then extended to perform whatever task is required. This tool magazine is tedious to load - each tool must be no larger than a certain size, and its functions programmed into the droid's accessory database - and providing the MR with a set of tools is yet another cost to the consumer beyond the purchase of the droid itself. Built-in features are limited, and include a computer interface arm, reader socket for transferring data from datapads and other storage devices, a holoprojector/spotlight combo, and magnetic grippers in its wheels for operating on the outer hulls of ships in space. The MR is equipped with little else; as per its technical status as an astromech, it has a simple astrogation calculator for assisting in hyperspace route development. It also has a basic sensor package, including a single electro photo receptor and an audio/sonar sensor. MRs are not equipped with vocabulators, and communicate entirely in binary.

In service, the MR series is not as "active" as similar droids; they tend to move only when necessary, and swivel their head-dome with abrupt movements. Customers have complained that the droid's motive servos are excessively loud, producing an electrical whine, and that its cheaply molded plastoid casing squeaks and rattles when the droid moves. Nevertheless, MRs are readily available to beings who cannot purchase more expensive astromechs, and perform their expected functions reasonably well. They are a common sight in backwater starports, and in the service of independent freighter captains.

LEGALITY​

Legal. The MR-series is incredibly common in many parts of the Galaxy where having the newest droid on the market isn't as important as having a cheap and somewhat reliable utility droid.

Reproduced courtesy of Autofox​