Both its name and appearance are based on astromech droid R2-D2 a recurrent character in the science fiction franchise Star Wars and part of a mostly-comedic duo along protocol droid C-3PO (expanded into a trio with new arrival BB-8 in The Force Awakens). Despite possessing no apparent significance in the Gex universe, the "R2" prefix of its named is used to describe a specific model series in its source material, collectively known as "R2 units", whereas the code after the hyphen serves as the individual droid's designation. As implied by its name (and in a notable departure from its inspiration's helpful disposition), the R2-Beat-U's belligerent nature makes it yet another member of the longstanding "evil (or killer) robot" trope that has dominated popular culture for a century.