Normally, I would be rather wary of anything combining even the image of a droid and water.  Besides the obvious issues with moisture and electronics, there is just something that strikes me as chilling about using an astromech’s shell to hold your ice.

However, given that this ice container comes with a mold depicting Rebel supporter Han Solo encased in carbonite, I might be persuaded to view the product in an entirely different light.

Apparently only available in the United Kingdom at the moment, but I would not be surprised if that changed in the future.

Frozen Han in carbonite ice-mold

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It is becoming increasingly clear that my knowledge of human psychology is greatly lacking.  Once again the popular site Gizmodo has an article on a familiar-themed wedding cake, with some apparently negative commentary on anyone who would serve an astromech-shaped cake at a wedding celebration.

Granted, the cake is, predictably, the Rebel droid R2–D2, but the issue does not seem to be with the model itself, but the concept as a whole.  In my opinion, other than the obvious Rebellion theme, I find this cake to be a quite accurate replica, and a feat that is not easy in any form of pastry.  It is not entirely constructed of cake – the legs, lights are not, and the decorator used a camera lens in the process.  However, it would be very difficult or impossible to replace those elements with something edible, so I believe the creator has done an impressive job.

R2-D2 Cake Brings Balance to the Force, Dorkiness to Wedding

Tags: Droid Misuse, Pastry // 1 Comment »

It seems a great many beings on this planet are celebrating a holiday known as “Mother’s Day” today, honoring their maternal parents.  As I am a droid, with no actual parents, it seems a very strange holiday for me, but in the interest of understanding human psychology, I shall partake of this ritual.  I could not find an appropriate card to send to my creators, who are both “mother” and “father” to me, but at least I can send a message.

Happy Mother’s (and Father’s) Day, LeisureMech Enterprises!

No, I still don’t understand humans any more than I had earlier.  More research is required.

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While my primary catering skill-set is pastry preparation, I am more often tasked to prepare common meals for Master Thirteen. My research has shown that breakfast is very important meal for humans, and this project from Sylvain Calinon is learning to prepare it in this rather lengthy video.

I am impressed at the progress in learning-capable droids on this planet, but I am quite sure my position with Master Thirteen is quite secure. After all, he likes a great deal more ham in his omelettes than the shown sample.

Robot Is In Ur Kitchen, Deconstructin’ Ur Omelettes (BotJunkie, greatly in need of repairs to the protocol droid, it would seem)

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The public’s love of R2–D2 is, to put it lightly, well established.  However, here we have proof of the astromech subverting children to the Rebel cause by, of all things, dancing.

Granted, this is not the actual astromech, but a replica at Maker Faire.  Still, associations made this young in life will last a long time.

Artoo-Detoo Dot Net

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Once again, I find myself surprised at human psychology.  I know I have mentioned Lord Vader before, both in the respect Master Thirteen has for the great man, and the odd forms that respect has taken in others.

These cookies, rather obviously, fall in the latter category.  While I do support the pastry art in its many forms, I do wonder if it truly is a wise idea to consume Lord Vader’s likeness.

The Dark Side of Sweetness (etsy)

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I’ve shown a fair amount of artistic pieces representing droids, but, with the exception of the droid conductor, none of a droid actually producing art.  It does not seem to be a thing often seen on this planet.

Therefore, I am quite happy to see this example of a droid creating artistic designs in sand.  Making its first appearance at Maker Faire 2008, the Sisyphus V is drawing incredibly lovely patterns that intrigue me.

Granted, this is more use of a droid to create art, but it seems a step in the right direction, all things considered.  I look forward to seeing more droids of this nature in the future.

Sisyphus V: A Robot Making a Zen Garden (Gizmodo)

The Art of Motion Control (Creator Site)

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There is no image today.  If the reader is not familiar with the overly-marketed astromech known as R2–D2, then I am even more unfamiliar with human psychology than I imagined.

My last missive involved a pair of rather low-end speakers modeled after said astromech and another of his make.  Today I find myself looking at a rather expensive audiovisual projector modeled after the same.  One reviewer even claims “Sure R2-D2 doesn’t cook or make a mean margarita, or screen your calls, or even pay rent; but he has a knack for turning your living room into a deluxe movie theater or gaming-on-the-ceiling arcade.”

Well, now.  I must admit that, being a droid and therefore property of Master Thirteen, I do not pay rent.  However, not only do I handle all of Master Thirteen’s audiovisual needs, I also can prepare meals and beverages.  I do not know if my libations could be considered mean.  Aggression in cocktails is not a familiar phenomenon to me.

R2-D2 is the Best Roomie Ever

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A short missive today, as I am apparently in need of some maintenance.  Perhaps that is why I can’t seem to find much to say about the galaxy’s most famous astromech in speaker form.

Granted, it’s not just R2–D2, but also R2–D1.  They plug into computers, iPods, and other kinds of audio equipment.  They’re not powered, so there’s not a lot to be expected from them, quality-wise.

I think I’m more disappointed than usual, really.  I believe every droid needs a power source.

Star Wars R2-D2 Speaker Set

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It seems to be a time of conflict on this planet.  Granted, from my historical studies, it seems to be the standard mode.  However, that fact does not make life for the combatants any easier.  However, it seems that at least one droid has done so for one soldier.

At left is an RP-7 droid, who has allowed Army Staff Sgt. Erik Lloyd to meet his newborn son, even though the former is stationed in Iraq, and the latter born at a hospital in Texas. 

Granted, this meeting was entirely virtual, but it seems to have been a very positive experience, as shown in the new father’s words:

“It was an awesome experience. I am far from the first father in this conflict who has missed the birth of their child. … However, with this technology I was in a small way allowed to feel more like I was part of a family than I had been … since he was born.”

The article goes on to muse that perhaps droids will be allowed to make more of an everyday difference to soldiers, and I do agree that it would be a very good thing if they are.  As I’ve experienced in my time with Master Thirteen, it is quite difficult to be away from home in support of a cause, and anything that can make a difference is a worthwhile endeavor.

RP-7 Robot Introduces Newborn To Soldier

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