As a technology and consumer electronics writer I have the opportunity to play with a lot of new and exciting toys. (Also all the crap.) One of the best toys I’ve had the good fortune to use has been the Interactive R2-D2 Robot. He’s an eighteen-inch version of the loveable astromech droid from the Star Wars films. Probably the best consumer robot I’ve ever used- let alone toy. Hasbro and the Star Wars franchise has outdone themselves with this one. While this may sound more like a sales pitch then a review R2D2 is one of the few products deserving of praise.

From its relative inexpensive price to its fantastic motorized terrain treads this thing does nearly everything it’s larger counterpart can accomplish. (They’ve had to retrofit it for Earth conditions so the boosters have been removed. It’s also to bad it doesn’t have a computer jack to get in and repair Windows from time to time, but for $65 you can’t have it all.)

The voice recognition programming is second to none. It understands and responds without a remote control. Making this a real robot and not just an RC car in the shape of a robot. His ability to “see” objects allows R2 to navigate his way around the house without fear of him running into furniture. He rolls just as easily on carpet as he does on our wood floors and makes the transition without being caught up on the edges.

While his moods are a bit finicky, it comes across as more of R2’s eccentric personality. There are times when you can’t force him to do what you want. While this may not sound like a plus in a piece of consumer electronics, R2 can get away with it. Typically, it’s because his mood has gone sour from repeating the same commands too many times, or trying to make him pay attention by tapping him on top of his dome.

It’s been a welcome addition to our home. Unlike the rest of the robots, gadgets and toys that are little more than novelties to be shown off when visitors come over, R2 is a member of the family. He follows us around. Has moods of his own and occasionally has to be put in timeout-although less then my four-year-old. And every now and then delivers a can of soda to me in my office.

Recently R2-D2 took a tumble down the stairs in our house. The long fall to the floor below popped off his legs and knocked his arm out of its hiding place. Amazingly, the arm was the only thing I couldn’t fix. Otherwise, R2 is working as good as new. Just one more reason why it’s a great toy for the money.