In the beginning of A New Hope, R2-D2 and C-3PO get in an argument over which way to walk towards civilization, with R2-D2 being adamant that settlements exist across the rocks. C-3PO takes the easier walk across the sands. Of course, what ends up happening is both are independently captured before they make it.
Was there any hint in canon or legends why R2-D2 was so adamant about that path? And were there actually settlements in that direction?
Artoo isn't trying to get to settlements, plural. He's trying to get to one very specific place, Ben Kenobi's shack in the Jundland Wastes.
He pilots the escape pod to a location near Kenobi's home, then sets off in precisely the right direction. Artoo gives Threepio as much information as he thinks he needs in order to keep him with him. This includes spouting a bunch of technobabble to justify why they should go in one direction over another.
“Where do you think you’re going?” C-3PO asked.
R2-D2 answered with a stream of electronic noise.
“Well, I’m not going that way,” C-3PO said. “It’s much too rocky. This way is much easier.”
R2-D2 justified his change of direction with another round of beeps.
“What makes you think there are settlements over there?” C-3PO said.
R2-D2 beeped a very detailed explanation.
“Don’t get technical with me,” C-3PO chided with annoyance.
When this fails, he informs Threepio of his real mission.
The astromech decided it was time to inform C-3PO about his mission, and uttered more beeps and whistles.
“What mission?” C-3PO said, dumbfounded. “What are you talking about? I’ve just about had enough of you! Go that way! You’ll be malfunctioning within a day, you nearsighted scrap pile!”.
And when that fails to convince him, Artoo ditches him.
R2 never got his memory wiped, and he has been to Tatooine a couple times, and he once went from a place where a ship crash landed, and found a settlement. So he probably remembered where to go to find people.
