Worldcoin Unveils New Orb for a User-Friendly Iris-Scanning Experience

In an exclusive interview with TechCrunch, Alex Blania, CEO and co-founder of Tools for Humanity, the developer behind Worldcoin, reveals plans for a redesigned Orb aiming to provide a more approachable iris-scanning experience.

New Orb Features:

• Alternative colors and form factors
• Emphasis on a friendlier appearance, resembling an Apple product

Blania acknowledges the need for change, indicating a departure from the current controversial design. The upcoming Orb, scheduled for release in the first half of this year, seeks to appeal to a broader user base.

Worldcoin's Goal:

Blania emphasizes the project's simple thesis of rapidly reaching billions of users. The focus is on expanding accessibility through the enhanced design of the new Orb.

Tools for Humanity Funding:

Founded by Blania, Sam Altman, and Max Novendstern, Tools for Humanity has secured around $250 million from investors like a16z and Bain Capital Crypto. The project is renowned for its Orb device, designed to scan irises and assign a "World ID" to authenticate individual identities.

Challenges and Criticism:

The current Orb design has faced criticism for its intimidating appearance, resembling a sci-fi prop. Additionally, beta testing methods in developing economies and concerns over privacy and data security have drawn scrutiny.

Practical Use and Field Testing:

Despite skepticism, the Orb has practical applications. At a recent event in San Francisco, attendees scanned their irises to receive a World ID. Field testing of the new Orb design is also underway.

World ID 2.0 and Adoption:

Worldcoin introduced World ID 2.0 last year, featuring Apps for online account verification. The service has gained widespread adoption, with over 3 million unique global users signing up for Worldcoin since the launch of World ID in early 2023.