Tools for Humanity, the startup behind the Worldcoin project now rebranded as “World,” introduced a mobile verification device dubbed the Orb Mini during its “At Last” event in San Francisco. The company, co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, unveiled the device as part of its broader effort to provide “proof of personhood” in a world increasingly dominated by AI-generated agents and bots.
The Orb Mini—smaller and more portable than World’s earlier metal orbs—uses dual front-facing sensors to scan the user’s iris and generate a unique identifier on the blockchain. This process helps verify that a real human is behind the interaction.
Designed Like a Phone, Built for Identity
According to Rich Heley, Chief Device Officer at Tools for Humanity and a former Apple executive, the Orb Mini has the form factor of a smartphone but is designed solely for verification, not for communication. While it may not support apps or calls, its biometric focus is clear: scan, verify, and issue a digital proof that a user is human.
ALSO READ: Call for Cyber Experts: Join FCRF Academy as Trainers and Course Creators
Blania later confirmed the company’s ambition to make Orb Mini a point-of-sale device and potentially license the scanning technology to manufacturers. Thomas Meyerhoff, a former Apple designer, also played a key role in designing the device, giving it a sleek, consumer-friendly appeal.
Storefronts and Global Ambitions
To support its rollout, Tools for Humanity is launching the World Network across the U.S., with stores opening in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Nashville, and Miami. In these locations, users can walk in and get verified through Orb scanning. The company already claims that 26 million people have signed up for the World project, with 12 million of them verified.
The long-term strategy remains ambiguous. Though World is no longer officially tied to Worldcoin, questions remain about whether it will integrate with OpenAI projects. It’s uncertain whether AI functionality will be added to the Orb Mini or if it will be incorporated into future systems Altman is reportedly building.