R2-D2 robot, webcam and Skype phone

The R2-D2 Communication System by Nikko is much more than a toy robot for Star Wars fans. Not only can owners move R2 using software or the lightsaber remote, he has a 628x582 webcam, and the remote doubles as a USB Skype phone, complete with dialing buttons. The dialpad is revealed by twisting the handle. A stand for the lightsaber doubles as the wireless link between R2 and the PC. This latter fact is particularly important, because users can control the robot from anywhere in the world so long as they have Internet access, and the installed application. Sound effects are played as R2 moves or encounters surface endings. Nikko has yet to say when and at what price their product will appear, but interested customers can contact the company for details.