Worldcoin Introduces Enhanced Orb Design for a Friendlier Appearance of its Eye Scanning Device
The next iteration will look similar to an ‘Apple product,’ CEO says
by TAUHID SHAH: January 27: Saturday: 14:58 PM| 2024 Updated.
Worldcoin’s high-tech Orb device, which has been public for more than 180 days, is about to get a facelift, according to Alex Blania, CEO and co-founder of Tools for Humanity. In an exclusive interview with TechCrunch at a recent StrictlyVC event, Blania spilled the beans about the upcoming changes.
Blania, who’s been with the company for four years, pointed out that the initial design of the Orb predates his time. During testing, the project focused on gaining users in cities like Buenos Aires, Nairobi, Lisbon, and Bangalore, leading to concerns about its emphasis on developing economies. Last year, Worldcoin took a global tour, hitting major cities like Tokyo, Miami, New York City, and San Francisco to expand its reach.
In the past week, over 190,000 new accounts were created, bringing the total number of Worldcoin users to around 3.13 million, as reported on the website.
Blania simplified the main goal, saying, “We want to gather as many users as possible, as quickly as possible.”
The upcoming Orb, expected to launch in the first half of the year, will feature various colors and designs to make it look friendlier, Blania revealed. Overall, it will have a more relaxed vibe, taking inspiration from the design philosophy of Apple products.
Tools for Humanity, the force behind Worldcoin, has secured around $250 million in funding from backers like a16z and Bain Capital Crypto. The startup, known in venture capital and crypto circles, is famous for its unique Orb device, a gadget that scans irises and assigns users a “World ID” for access to Worldcoin’s application and a digital passport. The careful verification process ensures the legitimacy of individual identities and prevents the creation of multiple accounts.
Blanca humorously noted that the design of the Orb intrigues many in the U.S., thanks to its resemblance to a five-pound colorful bowling ball, giving off sci-fi movie vibes. People either love it or hate it, he added.
Despite some skepticism, at the StrictlyVC event in San Francisco, a “couple dozen” attendees chose to undergo iris scanning in exchange for a World ID, according to a Tools for Humanity representative at the event. The representative also hinted at ongoing “field testing” for the new Orb.
