It’s everyone’s favorite droid! IEEE Spectrum talked with R2-D2 builder Steve Simmons at Maker Faire to find out how the Star Wars droids work.

VIDEO: Maker Faire 2008: R2-D2 Builders

VIDEO: Artoo dancing with children at Maker Faire 2008

For more info about R2 Builders, check out Artoo-detoo.net.

Never one to turn down a comic book convention, I spent this past Sunday at Super-Con 2008 in San Jose, Calif. hanging out with fellow comic book fans, writers and artists, as well as celebrity Star Wars fans Go-Go’s guitarist Jane Wiedlin, actor/author Wil Wheaton, Bongo Comics Creative Director Bill Morrison and Star Wars actor Daniel Logan.

Super-Con is pretty small in scope compared to the bigger conventions like San Diego Comic-Con. It reminded me of Alternative Press Expo and WonderCon used to be before all movie marketers and Hollywood publicists figured out that their key demographic is all in one spot. I got to have real conversations with artists like Adam Hughes and Allison Sohn about their Star Wars art.

(New work from Adam Hughes)

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(Henry Jones’ Holy Grail Journal)

There were plenty of Star Wars sights and events at this year’s Bay Area Maker Faire, but for more adventure-seeking fans there was a rather interesting exhibit about some handmade Indiana Jones props made by “Mythbusters” host and former ILMer Adam Savage. He’s such an Indy fan that he decided to make his own Indy bullwhip and Henry Jones Holy Grail Diary.

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Every year mad scientists, robot builders, power tool drag racers, craftsters, and other DIY guys and gals gather together at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds for one of the coolest events in the Bay Area — the Maker Faire!

This year there were plenty of fun things for Star Wars fans to see and do — including crafts, R2-D2 dancing, prop displays, the LEGO Jeep, Steampunk contraptions and more!

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Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself mindset. Maker Faire happens May 3 and 4 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds in California. It’s a fun event for creative people of all ages who love to tinker and make things.

Whether it’s playing with robots (and there’s a lot of them!), checking out huge fire-breathing contraptions from Survival Research Laboratories, gawking at Tesla Coils, drag racing power tools, making all kinds of crafts, or just having fun geeking out, there’s plenty for everyone to do.

Here’s a selection of Makers and Exhibits that Star Wars fans might dig the most:

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In case any of you missed coverage of New York City Comic Con, here’s a round up of some of the most interesting clips of bloggers, journalists and fans geeking out at the largest comic convention on the East coast.

• VIDEO — BBtv: NYC Comic Con geek-gasm
• VIDEO — Best Week Ever Does Comic-Con
• ‘Star Wars’ Live-Action Show To Reveal Galaxy’s ‘Greasy, Seamy Underbelly’ (MTV)
• NYCC 08: Robot Chicken - Star Wars DVD Details (IGN.com)
• NYCC: Star Wars, Indiana Jones and The Dark Knight (Cinematical)
• New York Comic Con: Glimpses at ‘The Dark Knight,’ ‘The Spirit,’ and more! (EW.com)
• Club Jade NYC Comic-Con Coverage

Lucasfilm Director of Fan Relations Steve Sansweet answers questions about Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Blu-ray during the Wizard World Los Angeles convention March 15, 2008.

 Check out the video interview here. (via Home Media magazine)

Daniel Logan, known to countless Star Wars fans as Boba Fett, is in Germany right now for Jedi-Con, an official Star Wars Fan Club event. He’s graciously agreed to be our eyes and ears on the convention floor and chimes in with this report:

Here is my report from Jedi-Con on Saturday. First I would like to say Happy Easter. And from the 1st picture you can see, other fans are preparing for Easter as well.

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Daniel Logan, known to countless Star Wars fans as Boba Fett, is in Germany right now for Jedi-Con, an official Star Wars Fan Club event. He’s graciously agreed to be our eyes and ears on the convention floor and chimes in with this report:

Hello Everyone!

This is Daniel Logan giving you report from Dusseldorf Germany on Jedi Con 2008. I arrived into the Dusseldorf Airport last night. I had a long flight from Los Angeles and connected through London’s Heathrow Airport. This is my first visit to Germany! When I arrived into Dusseldorf I was glad to see the hotel was literally just outside the airport. I was able to check into the new Maritim Hotel, also where the convention is being held. It is a very nice hotel and the convention area is very nice as well.

(The view from my hotel)

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(Photo by Bonnie Burton)

Our Starwars.com ShoWest coverage of the Warner Bros. “Big Picture” presentation ended on an exciting note as filmmaker George Lucas took to the stage escorted by six Clone troopers from the 501st Legion.

Before airing a clip from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucas addressed the audience comprised of motion picture distributors and marketers, fellow directors, producers and actors about his decision to make another feature and TV series that takes place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

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