Belonging to the popular and robust R2 series, R2-B1 was much the same design as his more famous Astromech droid counterpart, R2-D2. R2-B1's last assigned duty was on Naboo, in the repair droid pool on the royal cruiser belonging to Queen Amidala. During the blockade of Naboo and the subsequent heroic escape, the ship carrying Queen Amidala was hit by enemy fire and damaged. The droids stored on board were sent out to repair the damage, R2-B1 was one of the droids destroyed in this event. Only R2-D2 survived to restore shield power to the cruiser.