Mark Smiley designed a LEGO BB-8 droid that really rolls! Not only that, but the project is a building set submitted to LEGO Ideas (formerly LEGO CUUSOO), which means if enough people like it, the LEGO corporation will consider it for an official LEGO product.
(YouTube link)
This unique BB-8 was designed with the primary goal of being able to move with his head staying up on top. The entire model was made using 100% Genuine Lego parts. His shells were of course carefully painted (and if this model is approved and created by Lego, the parts would come printed as so many Lego parts are). Inside you'll find Lego weights suspended from the central axle that bolster up two Lego magnets. Those magnets are held up close to the top of the ball and attract the two magnets built into BB-8's head. The head uses a cockpit dome (painted), hinge parts, and the smallest Lego wheels to skate on top of the body. The body's shell started out as Tatooine from the Lego Star Wars Planet series. The total part count is around 180 pieces.
It only rolls along one axis, because this is the real world, not Industrial Light & Magic. Want to get a look inside? Here’s a video showing updates to the project since it was first launched.
The set only needs a few more votes to get it past the magic number of ten thousand. If you’d be interested in seeing on store shelves, you can vote for it at LEGO Ideas. -Thanks, Mark!