Machinery known as thrust dampers were utilized on the droid starfighters belonging to the Trade Federation. Should the thrust dampers become non-functional, the droid starfighters had no choice but to transition into walker configuration to remain operational. One such fighter launched an assault against the Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi while they were aboard the Saak'ak. The Jedi's deflection of its own laser fire, using their lightsabers, resulted in the disabling of its thrust dampers. Subsequent deflected blasts led to the starfighter's destruction.
The concept of thrust dampers is featured in the video game Star Wars: Episode I Jedi Power Battles, released in 2000, and their function was explained within the game's strategy guide.