UGEARS R2-D2 – a wooden droid that rolls and projects Star Wars scenes

By Ricardo de Jong ·

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UGEARS R2-D2 wooden model projecting a blue portrait of Luke Skywalker from its eye, next to the set of interchangeable picture slides

Star Wars fans have the same problem every Christmas. They already own the mug, the T-shirt, the lightsaber and three versions of the Millennium Falcon. What’s left?

A droid they build themselves, out of wood, that actually rolls across the table. The UGEARS R2-D2 is a 315-part wooden model kit of everyone’s favorite astromech, with a wind-up spring drive and a battery-powered mini projector that shines Star Wars scenes out of its eye. That last part is why I want one.

UGEARS R2-D2 wooden mechanical model kit, built, with blue and white printed panels and a lit projector eye

What is the UGEARS R2-D2?

It’s a mechanical model kit from UGEARS, a company founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2014. They make wooden kits that move once you’ve built them: clocks, cars, dragons, a V8 engine. In 2025 they started a licensed Star Wars line, with a Millennium Falcon, an X-wing, an AT-ST, a TIE Fighter and this little guy.

R2-D2 comes as flat sheets of plywood and printed cardboard. You pop out the parts and slot them together, no glue or special tools needed, according to UGEARS. The kit is rated Medium difficulty and 14+. Built, he’s small: about 11.5 x 15.5 x 7 cm on UGEARS’ spec sheet. Think coffee-mug size, not real-droid size.

How does it work?

Two tricks:

  • It rolls. Twist the disc hidden under the dome to wind the spring, put him down and press the Start/Stop lever. He rolls forward, like in the movies.
  • It projects. Flip the switch on top and a small LED projector shines a picture through his “eye”, like the Princess Leia hologram. The slides are stored in a compartment inside his body, and you swap them with a little tool that comes in the box.

The legs can be set in two poses: upright, or tilted forward like he’s on the move. The projector needs batteries, and those aren’t included.

What I like / What could be better

What I like:

  • A wooden R2-D2 that projects Luke, Leia and the Death Star is a better gift than another plastic figure.
  • It’s a Star Wars build in the 60-dollar range, a lot cheaper than the big LEGO sets.
  • UGEARS puts assembly tips for the tricky parts (the spring and the pendulum) on its product page, and offers free spare parts.

What could be better:

  • Early buyers are split. The Amazon listing averages 4.0 out of 5, a score it shares with the Droideka and Podracer kits. Some reviewers say it was a fun, easy build. Others couldn’t get the drive to work after closing up the dome.
  • One buyer wished they had waxed more of the moving parts and watched the assembly videos for the drive. Take the slow route there.
  • He’s smaller than some people expect.

Who is the UGEARS R2-D2 for?

Star Wars fans 14 and up who like to build, and parents looking for an evening project to do with a teen. If they’ve liked mechanical paper animals from Japan or other moving models, this is the next step.

Skip it if the fan in your life wants a perfect display piece with no fiddling. LEGO is about as fiddle-free as building gets, and the LEGO Smart Brick X-Wing even makes the pew-pew sounds for you. Our Star Wars gift ideas have plenty that comes ready to go.

Where can I buy the UGEARS R2-D2?

UGEARS sells it through its own Amazon store, where it was about 62 bucks at the time of writing (October 2026). Grab some batteries for the projector while you’re at it.

These are the droids you’re looking for.