# Dark Droid Toys Sphero's BB-9E Toy Comes Ahead of the Next 'Star Wars' Film By Joey Haar | Published 2017-09-01 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bb9e References: [sphero](http://www.sphero.com/starwars/bb9e?ref=producthunt) & [store.sphero](https://store.sphero.com/products/bb-9e) 'Star Wars' is among the most financially successful franchises in the history of mass media, and the new BB-9E toy shows that the [Disney](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-robots)-fueled juggernaut is showing no signs of stopping. The officially licensed toy from [Sphero](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sphero-sports) gives fans a sneak peak of a character from the upcoming film in the latest iteration of the franchise. BB-8 was the adorable [R2-D2](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-r2d2)-esque droid for the newest series of Star Wars films, but the producers seem to have decided to match the rolling robot with a dark counterpart. According to Sphero's site, "BB-9E is a menacing Astromech Droid of the First Order," meaning that it fights for the dark side. As with Sphero's earlier BB-8 and R2-D2 toys, the BB-9E toy can be controlled through an app on one's smartphone, where users can roll it through holographic simulations. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Licensed Film Merchandise:** The popularity of franchises like 'Star Wars' creates opportunities for companies to create licensed merchandise based on the films. - **App-controlled Toys:** Toys that can be controlled through an app on a smartphone provide opportunities for companies to create new and innovative products in the toy industry. - **Dark Counterparts:** Creating dark counterparts to popular characters can provide opportunities for companies to offer new and unique products to fans. ### Where This Applies - **Toy Industry:** The success of app-controlled toys like Sphero's BB-9E presents opportunities for companies in the toy industry to innovate and create new products. - **Entertainment Industry:** The popularity of franchises like 'Star Wars' presents opportunities for companies in the entertainment industry to create licensed merchandise and capitalize on the success of the franchise. - **Mobile App Industry:** The demand for app-controlled toys presents opportunities for companies in the mobile app industry to create innovative products and diversify their offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Motion-Activated Sci-Fi Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hasbro-2.md) - [LED-Powered Laser Swords](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-series-obiwan-kenobi-force-fx-elite-lightsaber.md) - [Movie-Inspired Digi-Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-tamagotchi.md) - [Sci-Fi Foam Dart Blasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ee3-blaster.md) - [Interactive Response Robot Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-chatter-back-chopper.md) - [Galactic Robot-Inspired Puzzle Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-r2d2.md) - [Chrome-Colored Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-toys-1.md) - [Sci-Fi Series-Themed Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hasbro-3.md) - [Dark Sci-Fi Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darc-sport.md)