5DS droids were developed based on 3PO-series protocol droids. Their most notable feature was that 5DS's included extra limbs and a stouter torso to resemble six-armed Ebranites
The Galactic Empire made use of 5DS droids when they invaded Ebra.
Rebel operative Rith Tar'ak, an Ebranite herself and a recruiter on Ebra, was assigned a 5DS droid, A-5DS to help her with her task.