BK-PK

Sales Description

The galaxy is a dangerous place for a traveler. BK-PK was created as a companion for those seeking to travel across the galaxy, or just across part of their local planet. BK-PK is able to navigate on its own in Spider Mode or Tall Mode depending on the terrain, or can attach to the owner's back for crowded areas where there's a risk of the droid getting lost or stolen. Skirmishes are common, so it's not a bad idea to have a set of eyes on the back of your head when in unfamiliar territory. BK-PK's shell is created with rigid armor strong enough to block a couple of blaster bolts before allowing the user to take any damage. BK-PK comes with a built in scomp link and data port so it can hold your valuable data along with your clothes or weapons. One of it's legs houses a com link to communicate with the droid if you want to send it ahead to scout a path. Traveling can take you far away from known civilization, so BK-PK is equipped with a long range communications dish in it's head to ensure you can stay in contact with someone in the event you encounter danger.

When not on your back, BK-PK's head moves to the top of its body via a track along the center of the droid. The droid can also enter Storage Mode, during which its head lowers into its body via a lift in the center of the droid and the legs fold inward to minimize volume.

With a helpful personality, handy features, and plenty of storage space, this droid is the perfect travel companion for those looking to stay safe and aware while they explore the galaxy.

History:

With the discovery of hyperspace travel, the galaxy became far larger than anyone could have ever imagined. This invention led to the discovery of thousands of new exotic worlds, many of which, settlers were eager to explore. During early exploration, there were many casualties due to raiders and wild creatures. The Old Republic commissioned a droid maker to create a companion to help explorers more safely mapped the galaxy, leading to the creation of BK-PK.

With it's armored shell, advanced scanners, and long ranged communications equipment, casualties declined.

Though travel and exploration has become less dangerous in the time of the New Republic, BK-PK is still favored by many travelers as a means to carry their belongings and warn them against danger.

Though the company that created it has since disappeared through the galaxy's many political changes, new companies have picked up the design to make small updates to keep up with the improvements in technology.

As the design is old and the technology has gotten cheaper, the BK-PK unit sits at an affordable price point for those who want to stay safe during travel.

Design:

I spent a long time designing this droid. I do a lot of traveling with just a backpack, so the idea of a backpack droid came to me very quickly as I would love to have a companion for solo travel and a droid to carry my stuff in some situations sounds great. In my initial drawings, the droid was controlled with Nema 11 motors, a few gears, and a rack and pinion system along the main track, axles, and bearings. Due to part limitations and added complexity, I cut the motors in favor of a model that can still articulate but must be posed statically. The design is held together by 27 M3x14 bolts that dig directly into printed plastic.

I'm very happy with how the droid turned out, both in form and function. I made sure to keep the assembly of the droid relatively simple, though a long wrench is required to reach some of the bolts.

I had a great time making this droid and I hope you enjoy looking at it!