Lucky kids can now build their own programmable R2-D2

The littleBits Droid Inventor Kit is about to trundle onto every Star Wars-loving kids’ Christmas list.

New York-based littleBits wants everyone to be an inventor. It’s been trying to get people of all ages to embrace STEAM (Science, Technology, Art and Mathematics) via its invention kits comprising modular blocks that snap together with magnets.

It’s all very cool and educational, but now littleBits has a kit that enables you to build a programmable, app-controlled R2-D2. If that doesn’t get kids’ creative juices flowing, they may as well all become accountants now and be done with it.

The basic instructions tell you how to use the supplied six Bits (modules), 20 Droid parts and three sticker sheets to create a Droid that can be controlled in Drive Mode, Self-Nav and Force Mode, and that features 20 authentic R2 Unit sounds from the Star Wars films.

After that, you can start getting a little more adventurous, reconfiguring your Droid with new skills and even taking part in challenges to customise your Droid using household objects.

All sounds a far cry from mashing commands into the back of a Big Trak and wishing it wasn’t slower than a snail with a slight limp, doesn’t it?

The littleBits Droid Inventor Kit will be on sale from Force Friday, September 1 for £99.99, at John Lewis, Amazon, The Disney Store, Harrods and Apple Store.

Going on your Christmas list or your kid’s? Let us know on Twitter @andro_territory