this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2026
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Remember when he said BB-8 wasn't possible even though it was an actual remote controlled droid rolling around actual sand?
It wasn't though.
https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/113600/how-does-bb-8-move-in-the-sand-without-skidding
There were multiple different versions of the BB8 prop, and the ones where it is moving quickly, well, it's moving over a thin layer of sand on top of something more solid, and he's got a rig attached to him, that was green screened out.
Neil was basically right, something like BB8 would have terrible traction over sand dunes.
... and it did:
( EDIT: i hate sand, its coarse, irritating... )
The other versions were puppets, with green screened out puppeteers and control arms.
Fast moving BB8 on sand shot, done with puppet, puppeteer, and car camera:
You fell for a marketing campaign.
They absolutely did not build a real world BB8 capable of independently/remote control doing everything it does in the movies.
Well, it is one of the most idiotic designs for a robot, ever, after all.
It would make much more sense if they put a repulsorlift in it.
You know, like the Imperial Probe Droids, or the Interrogator Droids.
The Interrogator Droid is even already spherical as well... and was in the original movie.