Remote Controlled R2D2's Gender

We got a new toy last month. We've been eyeing this item for a long time, but never saw a need to buy it aside from being so enamored by it's cuteness. R2-D2 is one of our favorite characters in Star Wars. Yes, admittedly we are indeed Star Wars fans, but not quiet as avid as we wanted to. School, work, and other cares in life got in the way of becoming an uber Star Wars fan and expert. We do enjoy watching and re-watching all of the movies over and over again, and we enjoy "looking" and "dreaming" of collecting many Star Wars gadgets, memorabilia, etc. We are currently strapped for cash, so we are limited to merely looking and dreaming for now.

Once in a while we come across something we couldn't resist acquiring, and this remote controlled R2-D2 is one of those irresistible items. It's basically similar to a remote controlled car. R2-D2 moves back and forth, making sounds and spinning its head around just like in the movies. Our R2-D2 is smaller than the real one (the movie version), but that makes it so much cuter. Our R2-D2 looks so great displayed on our desk.

Writing this brought me to a question I have long pondered... Is R2D2's male or female? Was its gender ever established before in the movies, comics, etc? Do droids have gender? I initially assumed that R2-D2 is male because of the blue trims around its body - blue being a male color, but I'm doubting my assumptions now. R2-D2 makes girly sounds - high pitched sounds, and blue can also be a female color. Females can be expert mechanics and computer geniuses as well. R2-D2 is also very close to C-3PO, and they're often together. Doesn't that tell you anything? Not to mention how considerably cute and small it is compared to other droids... Regardless, R2-D2 is definitely well-loved by both men and women fans and non-fans alike.