Each droid would be dropped off at a pre-determined point within the Rift to act as a communications relay and signal booster. Reprogrammed to constantly scan the Rift, they could reposition themselves to stay in relatively safe areas. However, the Lifeline Project was hampered by the fact that communications with Kal'Shebbol would only be one way—they could send messages but not receive them. In addition, the loss of any of the probe droids would have rendered the relay useless.