Few things in life are cooler than a life-size robot. But, when that life-size robot is shaped like R2-D2 and allows you to crawl inside, you're approaching a whole new level of awesome.

Using a hodgepodge of random odds and ends, including old electric wheelchair parts, a joystick, a mirrored security dome, drawer parts, Christmas lights and European-style cabinets, David Malford of Raleigh, N.C., has gone and created the real deal.

And though it took over 200 hours of labor beginning in January of this year, the final product is far sweeter than anyone ever imagined possible.

"All of my friends want to drive it around," Malford tells us in an exclusive interview. "I had a few of them tell me that they were planning on picking on me by telling me it looked like I was driving a hot water heater, but it looked so good they couldn't say anything."

Continue reading to learn how this man brought R2-D2 to life.

Malford also robotized the thing himself, even installing old computer speakers and an MP3 player that allows R2-D2 to "speak." Oh, and because it gets hot inside of a giant R2-D2-shaped robot, Malford installed cooling fans on the interior. Ingenious!

He plans to use the R2-D2 robot as his 2010 Halloween costume.

"I've been making my own Halloween costumes for several years now," Malford tells Asylum. Last year he constructed an impressive version of the Black Knight from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (pictured).

This year, after a bet from a co-worker at last year's Halloween party, he set out to go bigger and better. We'll let you be the judge, but we'd argue that his mission was accomplished.

As for next year, Malford has a few ideas up his sleeve.

"I'm thinking I might try a scaled-down AT-AT or a landspeeder made out of an old smart-car chassis," he tells us. "I've also thought about making a General Grievous costume out of scrap metal. We'll see how that goes."