A Custom Remote-Controlled R2-D2 Quadcopter That Makes Beep and Whistle Sounds While Flying

Aerial cinematographer Don Melara of Air Cam Shots has built a custom remote-controlled R2-D2 quadcopter that not only soars through the sky, but also features a rotating head, a speakers that make the little astromech droid’s classic beeps and whistles, LED lights, and a small camera in his eye. Melara’s custom quadcopter, named “Arturo,” recently made his first public appearance at the International Drone Expo in Los Angeles.

Complete with DJI GPS autopilot navigation system, Articulating dome, LED jetpack lights, Speaker box for sounds and even a ccd camera installed into his eye. It took approximately 8 days to complete the build. It was always a childhood dream of mine that someday, someone would build a flying version of our favorite Star Wars droid. Now, thanks to todays technology and a little bit of a passion for aviation it has become a reality. This is the first of a few episodes I plan on releasing, the next will be a short inspirational story on how R2 got his wings and learned to fly at an airport in Los Angeles.

Esteban Jimenez and Craig Badger also shared footage of Arturo flying, whistling, and beeping.