Gallery: A Beanbag Robot Hand That Works Insanely Well

  • The 4000 Versaball embodies the latest in robotics theory but is essentially a lime green balloon filled with...
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    01

    empire-05

    The $4,000 Versaball embodies the latest in robotics theory, but is essentially a lime green balloon filled with industrial-grade granules.
  • Image may contain Weapon Weaponry Bomb and Grenade
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    02

    empire-09

    The green blob presses itself against an object and deforms around it and a pump sucks the air out of the balloon, locking down on the object.
  • Within a tenth of a second Versaball can seize anything from tiny Lego bricks to shards of broken glass and can easily...
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    03

    cornell-05

    Within a tenth of a second, Versaball can seize anything from tiny Lego bricks to shards of broken glass and can easily handle objects that weigh up to 20 pounds.
  • For many objects the ball envelops a portion of the object creating a stronger mechanical grasp.
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    04

    cornell-03

    For many objects, the ball envelops a portion of the object, creating a stronger mechanical grasp.
  • Early prototypes were crude—test grippers were filled with everything from coffee grounds to hummus—but effective.
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    05

    cornell-04

    Early prototypes were crude—test grippers were filled with everything from coffee grounds to hummus—but effective.
  • Image may contain Mouse Electronics Hardware Computer Clothing Apparel and Light
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    06

    empire-11

    "It's a smart place to start with biological solutions—millions of years of evolution went into the human hand, and it's the best gripper we know," says Versaball inventor John Amend. "It's hard, but occasionally we do stumble on with ideas that are competitive with nature, like the wheel."
  • Image may contain Cell Phone Electronics Mobile Phone and Phone
    Photos by Empire Robotics
    07

    empire-06

    There are 300,000 small and medium-sized manufacturers in the US that could use automated robots and Versaball's flexibility make the bulbous 'bot a good bet.
Read More
A Lot of Shops Won't Fix Electric Bikes. Here's Why
Bike shop mechanics have lost fingers and their shirts while repairing ebikes of dubious origins. Make sure yours is repairable and third-party certified.
Stephanie Pearson
The Audacity Is the Broligarchy Takedown You Were Waiting For
AMC’s new black comedy about a manchild tech titan spinning out of control is a skewering Silicon Valley’s billionaire class deserves.
Miles Klee
It’s a Tablet! It’s a Laptop! After Testing the Best 2-in-1s, Here’s What I Recommend
Whether you want a detachable tablet or a laptop screen that spins, these 2-in-1 devices manage to balance being both a tablet and a laptop.
Luke Larsen
There’s a Secret Ingredient to Making Luxury Ice at Home
Nice ice is big business, but you can get perfectly clear cubes at home without freezing your assets.
Jeremy White
The Screenmaxxers Who Spend Every Waking Hour on Their Phones
As debates over social media addiction rage, people with extreme screen times tell WIRED they have no plans to cut back.
Miles Klee
Mammotion’s Spino E1 Pool Cleaner Isn’t Bad for the Price—It's Just Not That Good
This compact pool robot keeps its price down, but its performance doesn’t match that of more capable cleaners.
Christopher Null
The Best Coffee Mug Warmers Are Smart. But They Don’t Need an App
The first rule of coffee is that it must stay hot. After weeks or even years of testing, these are the three coffee warmers that will best keep it that way.
Matthew Korfhage
Crimson Desert Is a Cat Dad Simulator
Step into the shoes of the strongest, goodest boy in a game that is beautiful, baffling, and impossible to put down.
This At-Home Hair Color Printer Raised My Blood Pressure
This hair dye printer promises hundreds of shades. It couldn't even manage two.
Louryn Strampe
I Tested the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air. Here's Which One You Should Buy
After conducting long-term testing on both the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air, I have a good idea who should buy which laptop.
Luke Larsen
The Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Carrying This and That Everywhere
You don't need a car to tote around kids and cup holders. I rode cargo ebikes for miles to find the best one for your buck.
Adrienne So
Your Push Notifications Aren’t Safe From the FBI
Plus: Iran’s internet blackout hits the 1,000-hour mark, cryptocurrency scams result in a record amount of money stolen from Americans, and more.
Matt Burgess