AD-3 Exploration and Companion Unit

Introducing AD-3 one of the next generation of explorer's assistants! From the manufacturers of the beloved BD series this updated model is designed as a more robust option for charting unknown terrain and cataloging information. Featuring a scomp link, data prong, and chip slot for various forms of data exchange. Like its predecessor, AD-3 utilizes a scanner module to analyze its environment. However unlike BD units the AD models feature a smaller scanner to accommodate their larger droid brain. AD-3 uses its enhanced computational abilities to create and store maps in great detail. These maps can be accessed via the removable datapad on the rear body of the droid. In keeping with its versatile design, AD-3 features two manipulator arms for additional utility. During testing these arms were particularly useful for sample retrieval in dangerous environments.

Designer Notes:

Star Wars and CAD programs are my favorite things and I was thrilled to find out about this contest which merged them together. I grew up watching Star Wars, being inspired by its stories, characters, and most of all the captivating technology.

My inspiration for this project began with BD-1 from the Jedi Fallen Order video game. His personality and functional design make him my favorite droid in all of Star Wars. I wanted to iterate on the design in a meaningful way without losing the unique character of BD-1. This led me to pull elements from other Star Wars machines such as the AT-RT walker, ID9 seeker droid, and Tech's datapad. Because creating a new droid from the same manufacturer causes continuity errors, I came up with the idea of a prototype droid that was built but never released. The prompt above refers to an exhibition displaying the now antique AD-3 unit.