Gallery: How FX Wizards Brought Interstellar’s Strange Bots to Life

  • Image may contain Human Person Wheel Machine Helmet Clothing Apparel and Astronaut
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    01

    robots7-g

    A bot exits a landing craft on location in Iceland.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Human and Person
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    02

    robots4-g

    “They really live to serve the mission. They know they’re expendable. But they’re also very close to human intelligence and soul.” —Bill Irwin, voice and operator of TARS
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Human Person Coat Overcoat Suit Water and Jacket
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    03

    robots5-g

    Bill Irwin working the bot on location in Iceland.
  • Image may contain Elevator
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    04

    robots6-g

    Despite the bot's non-humanoid form, the actors focused on its screens as if they were a face.
  • Image may contain Machine
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    05

    robots2-g

    The aluminum skeleton and control mechanisms behind the 200-pound bot's stainless-steel skin.
  • Image may contain Human Person Helmet Clothing Apparel and Cockpit
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    06

    robots3-g

    TARS assumes a prone position during spaceflight.
  • Image may contain Helmet Clothing Apparel Human Person and Astronaut
    ©2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
    07

    robots-g

    While filming the scenes in Iceland, two of the bots corroded so badly that they had to be completely disassembled and rebuilt.​
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Kids' Bikes for Every Age and Size
The WIRED Reviews team has kids, and we tested all types of kids’ bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
The 11 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride
I tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
Adrienne So
The Best Podcasts for Everyone
Get your fix of tech, true crime, pop culture, or comedy with these audio adventures. 
Simon Hill
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
The Best Portable Chargers for All Your Devices
Keep your phone, laptop, handheld gaming console, and other electronics running with these travel-friendly power banks.
Simon Hill
Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes to Keep You Comfy in Any Weather
Merino is one of the best fabrics you can wear. We explain the different blends, what “gsm” means, and how to care for your clothes.
Scott Gilbertson