LEGO Mindstorms Star Wars, specifically known as the "Droid Developer Kit," was released in 1999 and combined the programmable robotics of LEGO Mindstorms with the beloved Star Wars universe. Set number 9748, the Droid Developer Kit, allowed users to build and program Star Wars droids. One of the most iconic builds from this set was a version of R2-D2. The kit used the RCX programmable brick (similar to other early Mindstorms sets) as the "brain" to control the droids and came with specific building instructions and programming tasks tailored to the Star Wars theme. It provided fans a unique blend of LEGO robotics and Star Wars creativity.
2000 LEGO Sets
2000 was a year of transition and innovation for LEGO. The company introduced RoboRiders, Knights’ Kingdom, Life on Mars, Studios, and a Soccer/Football theme while retiring veteran designer Jens Nygaard Knudsen, creator of the minifigure. Star Wars launched its first Ultimate Collector Series sets—the X-wing Fighter (7191) and TIE Interceptor (7181)—establishing LEGO’s adult collector market. BIONICLE debuted in select regions, setting the stage for a major global launch. Recognized as 'Toy of the Century,' the LEGO brick entered the new millennium as both a cultural icon and a growing creative platform.