Yes—there is a real, moving BD-1-inspired companion robot, but it is a custom maker project, not a verified mass-market animatronic toy. Dave Darko’s build recreates the exploration droid from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order as a shoulder-mounted robot with moving parts, lights, sound, and a tiny video projector.
What the BD-1 animatronic is—and what it is not
Dave Darko documented the project on Hackster.io and element14. It is a one-off DIY recreation rather than a commercially available, ready-to-use BD-1 robot. The project documentation dates to 2020.
It is also not an autonomous walking droid. The design is intended to sit on its builder’s shoulder, reflecting BD-1’s companion role in the game.
What the animatronic BD-1 can do
The build combines movement and effects to bring the prop to life. Hackster describes moving arms and head antennas, an RGB LED display, a speaker for BD-1-like sounds, a prop med-pack launcher, and a mini projector built into one eye to display video on nearby surfaces. The functions are handled by embedded Raspberry Pi and Arduino electronics.
#1 Best Overall
- L0-LA59: Kids and fans can bring home the animatronic toy edition of this loveable droid companion, L0-LA59 (Lola), and reimagine iconic scenes from the Star Wars Galaxy
- INTERACTIVE TOYS WITH 45+ LIGHT, SOUND & MOVEMENT COMBOS: Touch the sensor on L0-LA59's head to unlock more than 45 different light, sound, and movement combinations through 3 unique modes.
- 3 MODES OF PLAY: Enter Companion Mode by attaching L0-LA59's legs, Hover Mode by attaching her stand, or On the Go Mode by removing her from either base and pretending she's zooming through the galaxy
- SERIES-INSPIRED DROID MOVEMENTS: In Companion and Hover Mode, this Star Wars toy opens and closes her mouth, moves the panels on top of her head, and tilts her head from side to side
- RESPONDS TO SOUNDS: This adorable robot toy responds to background noises with different combinations of lights, droid sounds, and movements
The projector makes the build especially distinctive, but it is not evidence of a general-purpose autonomous robot. The documented project is a shoulder-mounted prop, and its published description does not provide battery-runtime or other independent performance figures.
What parts the DIY build uses
The project is mostly 3D-printed and uses a mix of computing boards, servos, and other components. The element14 bill of materials names:
Rank #2
- Touch the Top of the Child Animatronic Edition's Head to Activate Sound Effects Inspired by the Mandalorian, Including Happy and Excited, Giggles and Babbles, Tired and Sleeping, and Force Effect Sounds
- Features Motorized Movements, Including a Head That Moves Up and Down, Ears That Move Back and Forth, Eyes That Open and Close, and More
- Boys and Girls Ages 4 and Up will Love Patting the Child Animatronic Edition on the Head 3 Times for Force Activation, in Which the Animatronic Toy will Raise Its Arm, Close Its Eyes, and Sigh, as If Using the Force
- Pretending to Channel the Force Takes a Lot of Energy and Requires a Lot of Rest. Place the Child's Toy on It and It will Close Its Eyes and Take a "Power Nap"
- Star Wars the Animatronic Children's Edition is Inspired by the Fan-Favorite Character from the Mandalorian and Includes a Removable Mandalorian Pendant Necklace and Premium Soft Goods Robe
- Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB of memory as the main computer
- Arduino Leonardo and Arduino Nano Every boards for supporting control
- 1.75 mm PLA filament in white, black, and orange
- DS3225 servos
- A Matek 5V/12V power-distribution board
- A mini projector
The full combination means this is a fabrication and electronics project, not a snap-together toy. The original documentation does not present it as a beginner kit or a complete ready-to-assemble product. A separate custom BD-33 project illustrates the sort of documentation gap makers can encounter: Adafruit reported in 2024 that its creator supplied STL and STEP files but not complete assembly instructions. That is a different build, not a substitute set of instructions for Darko’s BD-1.
DIY animatronic or LEGO BD-1?
If you want interactivity, Darko’s project is the more animated option—but it requires building the robot. LEGO’s licensed BD-1 is a brick-built display model, not an electronic animatronic. It has poseable features, including moving legs, a tilting head, and an extendable tray for canisters, but the cited product information does not describe lights, sound, projection, or electronic movement.
Rank #3
- INTERACTIVE TOYS ACCESSORIES: The Galactic Snackin’ Grogu animatronic toy comes with 4 interactive accessories (bowl with tentacles, cookie, shifter knob, and spoon) that, when placed in his hand, he will react to with animations and sound effects
- STAR WARS TOYS: The Star Wars The Mandalorian Galactic Snackin’ Grogu animatronic figure stands over 9 inches tall and is known by many fans as "Baby Yoda". Toy animatronic features motorized movements, including a head, ears, and arms that move, and eyes that open and close
- SNACK AND REACT: Pretend to feed Grogu (The Child) animatronic with the entertainment-inspired accessories and he will react to them with eating, yummy, or yucky sound effects
- HOLD ME PLEASE: Galactic Snackin’ Grogu interactive toy will let kids ages 4 and up know when he wants to be picked up and held by reaching up with both arms. Makes one cuddly kids gifts.
- 2-HANDED FORCE MOVE TOYS: For 4 year old boys and girls and up who want to pat the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu toy’s head 3 times and activate a 2-handed Force animation, in which he will mimic channeling the Force, inspired by scenes from the Disney+series The Mandalorian
| Option | Interactivity and movement | Build effort | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Darko’s DIY animatronic | Moving arms and antennas, lights, sounds, a prop med-pack launcher, and video projection are described by Hackster.io. | Custom fabrication, electronics, programming, and assembly; not documented as a commercial kit. | Maker project documentation; no verified mass-market product is established. |
| LEGO Star Wars BD-1, set 75335 | Poseable display model with moving legs, tilting head, and extendable canister tray, according to StarWars.com. | LEGO describes the 1,062-piece build as “a relatively complex building experience.” | LEGO marks the set retired; check current marketplace availability. LEGO’s product page shows a $99.99 list price and a $79.99 price, but does not establish that either is a current retail offer. |
LEGO lists set 75335 as over 12.5 inches (31 cm) tall and containing 1,062 pieces. Those are specifications for the LEGO model, not the custom animatronic. For a licensed display build, see the LEGO BD-1 product page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to find or build a BD-1 droid
For Darko’s animatronic, the available route is to use the maker-project documentation as a reference and source the electronics, filament, servos, and projector separately. The documentation does not establish a retail seller or a complete commercial kit. Anyone planning a build should review the project materials carefully and be prepared to solve fabrication and assembly details rather than expect a plug-and-play product.
Rank #4
- NEW REPUBLIC SECURITY DROID: The New Republic used these security droids for protection and combat, including aboard high-security correctional transports like the one The Mandalorian boarded in an effort to rescue the prisoner Qin
- STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN: Fans and collectors can imagine scenes from the Star Wars Galaxy with this premium New Republic Security Droid toy, inspired by the Star Wars: The Mandalorian series
- SERIES-BASED CHARACTER-INSPIRED ACCESSORY: This Star Wars The Black Series action figure comes with 1 entertainment-inspired accessory that makes a great addition to any Star Wars collection
- FIND OTHER FIGURES FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY: Find movie- and entertainment-inspired Star Wars The Black Series figures to build a Star Wars galaxy (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
- PREMIUM ARTICULATION AND DETAILING: Star Wars fans and collectors can display this fully articulated figure featuring poseable head, arms, and legs, as well as premium deco, in their collection
If you want a licensed BD-1 object without the electronics and custom engineering, LEGO set 75335 is the closest option covered here. Since LEGO lists it as retired, its availability and price depend on current sellers; the prices displayed on LEGO’s page should not be treated as a guaranteed offer.
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Best Value
- Yo Robot - BD
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