In Star Wars: Episode IV, Princess Leia’s astromech droid companion is R2-D2.
R2-D2 is an R2-series astromech droid introduced in 1977’s Star Wars. He carries technical tools, repairs starships, interfaces with computers, and communicates through electronic whistles rather than spoken language. His most important early mission is transporting the stolen Death Star plans inside his memory banks.
R2-D2 travels with C-3PO after escaping aboard the Tantive IV. On Tatooine, he becomes connected with Luke Skywalker and helps deliver Leia’s message to Obi-Wan Kenobi. His small size and practical abilities often make him the character who solves a problem when larger heroes cannot.
A common mix-up is reversing the two droid names: R2-D2 is the compact blue-and-white astromech, while C-3PO is the tall gold protocol droid. R2-D2 appears throughout the nine-film Skywalker saga and is one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters.