droid
(From "android") The robots of the Star Wars universe. While androids look somewhat human-like, Star Wars' droids are typically fashioned in the likeness of their creators or in a utilitarian design that stresses function over appearance. Droids are equipped with artificial intelligence, though some are naturally created smarter than others depending on the function they are designed to serve.
"Droid" is a Lucasfilm Ltd. trademark.
["A Guide to the Star Wars Universe", Bill Slavicsek, 1994, Lucasfilm Ltd.]
[Was George Lucas really the first to use the abbreviation (in 1977)?]