Star Wars fans – and their wallets – are set to feel the Force like never before.
Toy-makers and tech companies have unveiled the latest line-up of Star Wars gadgets ahead of Force Friday II, with everything from augmented reality headsets to your own personal R2-D2, complete with holographic simulations.
The haul, which will become available September 1, also includes a peek at characters set to become fan favorites in the upcoming installment, The Last Jedi, revealing BB-8’s evil counterpart BB-9E, and the adorable wide-eyed Porgs.
Toy-makers and tech companies have unveiled the latest line-up of Star Wars gadgets ahead of Force Friday II, with everything from augmented reality headsets to your own personal R2-D2, complete with holographic simulations
Following in the footsteps of its hugely popular BB-8 toy, Sphero has unveiled two new personal droids for Fall 2017: R2-D2 and BB-9E.
The two new products will pair with the Sphero Droids app, so you can control their movement and even view holographic simulations set in the Star Wars galaxy.
While R2-D2 will be familiar to any fan, BB-9E is a fresh face, with the character set to be the First Order’s ‘evil twin’ to the much-loved BB-8 in next film.
Both of the droids are equipped with authentic movements to mimic their onscreen personalities, LED lights, a speaker to emulate their sounds, and even the ability to interact with other Sphero droids.
A highly-anticipated augmented reality experience is set to debut on Force Friday II as well.
Disney has teamed up with Chinese technology firm Lenovo to create the AR headset and accompanying game, ‘Star Wars: Jedi Challenges,’ which becomes available for pre-order on Sept 1.
The platform includes a lightsaber motion controller, which will be tracked by two cameras on the headset.
Following in the footsteps of its hugely popular BB-8 toy, Sphero has unveiled two new personal droids for Fall 2017: R2-D2 and BB-9E. The two new products will pair with the Sphero Droids app, so you can control their movement and even view holographic simulations
While R2-D2 will be familiar to any fan, BB-9E is a fresh face, with the character set to be the First Order’s ‘evil twin’ to the much-loved BB-8 in next film
It was first unveiled at Disney’s D23 Expo, held in Anaheim, California this summer.
The display itself uses a compatible smartphone that can be slipped into place inside the headset, like Samsung’s Gear VR.
This should mean the headset is more affordable than more complex headsets that come with a built in display.
According to Lenovo, players will be able to engage in lightsaber battles, strategic combat, and even Holochess.
Both of the droids are equipped with authentic movements to mimic their onscreen personalities, LED lights, a speaker to emulate their sounds, and even the ability to interact with other Sphero droids
It’s now available for $199.99 online and at local stores, or £249 in the UK.
The fan favourite BB-8 will also dominate Force Friday II, with several iterations of the character available, from plushies to Legos.
Spin Master has unveiled a 16-inch tall interactive BB-8 droid equipped with voice recognition and remote control capabilities, so it can roll around by your side.
The toy has 360-degree remote control movement, and a ‘Follow Me’ mode.
Disney has teamed up with Chinese technology firm Lenovo to create the AR headset and accompanying game, ‘Star Wars: Jedi Challenges,’ which becomes available for pre-order on Sept 1. It includes a lightsaber motion controller, tracked by cameras on the headset
It also has lights and sounds that mimic those from the films.
One company has even released a kit so you can build your own droids.
LittleBits’ Droid Inventor Kit allows users to create an R2-D2-style bot equipped with self-navigation and even ‘force drive’ – meaning you can control its movements with the wave of a hand.
Using the Droid Inventor Training App, and ‘Draw Mode,’ it can even be used to draw out ‘secret maps’ and messages.
LittleBits’ Droid Inventor Kit allows users to create an R2-D2-style bot equipped with self-navigation and even ‘force drive’ – meaning you can control its movements with the wave of a hand
Using the Droid Inventor Training App, and ‘Draw Mode,’ it can even be used to draw out ‘secret maps’ and messages
Along with the well-known favorites, a new character is set to steal hearts on Force Friday.
Fans have so far only seen teasers of the adorable avian Porg creatures – but now, Hasbro has unveiled its $40 electronic Porg Plush, bringing the character right into your home.
The interactive plush can move its arms and waddle around the room, and even tweets and chips like it does in the movie.
The next film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, is set to hit theaters December 2017.
Spin Masters’ toy has 360-degree remote control movement, and a ‘Follow Me’ mode. It also has lights and sounds that mimic those from the films.
Spin Master has unveiled a 16-inch tall interactive BB-8 droid equipped with voice recognition and remote control capabilities, so it can roll around by your side (left). And, Hasbro has unveiled its $40 electronic Porg Plush (right) bringing the character right into your home