Star Wars inspired droid may provide company for the elderly

But experts believe they could become our friends and even provide enjoyable company. Mr Kaname Hayashi, the'father' of Pepper, is developing a new machine, inspired by R2-D2, the friendly and resourceful droid featured in the Star Wars films. He believes it could provide company isolated people, such as the elderly. Mr Kaname Hayashi, the'father' of Pepper, is developing a new machine, inspired by R2-D2, the friendly and resourceful droid featured in the Star Wars films. For a long time, Japanese scientists have been trying to create eerily human-like machines with a'presence'.