Kristian Ferrell
Wilson Sporting Goods has released a limited number of its airless basketballs for sale. The Airless Gen1 basketball, which retails for $2,500, is the result of six years of development and testing and represents a significant innovation in the sport's 130-year history. The ball, which is 3D-printed and does not require inflation, is Wilson's first foray into the airless ball market and is targeted at fans, collectors, and tech enthusiasts. While the current price point is high, Wilson intends to make the ball more widely accessible in the future as 3D printing technology advances and costs decrease.
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$108.99 $159.99
What You'll Learn
- The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is available for $2,500
- Only a few hundred of the airless basketballs have been made
- The ball is black, 3D-printed and hollow
- The ball weighs 610 grams, 10 grams under the maximum weight for a regulation ball
- Wilson's goal is to eventually make the ball more widely accessible
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is available for $2,500
The Airless Gen1 basketball is an updated version of a prototype Wilson introduced in 2023. This new version features a revised lattice design that achieves a more consistent bounce, as well as added holes in the "channels" to expedite manufacturing. In addition to the original black colour, brown and white colourways are now available. Each ball will be labelled by its exact number in the production line, and only a few hundred have been made.
The Airless Gen1 basketball is unique in that it challenges the convention of a basketball that requires inflation. Instead, it employs a honeycomb-like structure with two layers connected at each of the vertices of the honeycomb segments. This structure allows the ball to match the weight, rebound, circumference, and size of a traditional basketball, while also achieving a consistent rebound across its surface.
The ball will be available for purchase on Wilson's website, although it is not intended for the masses due to its high manufacturing costs. Instead, it targets fans, collectors, and tech enthusiasts who appreciate owning a piece of innovation. Wilson acknowledges that the Airless Gen1 is not perfect and will continue to evolve, with the eventual goal of making the ball more widely accessible.
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Only a few hundred of the airless basketballs have been made
Wilson's Airless Gen1 basketball is a unique product that does not require inflation. The ball is made using 3D printing technology and is an innovation in the basketball space. With only a few hundred of these airless basketballs made, it is a limited release aimed at fans, collectors, and tech enthusiasts.
The ball was introduced to the public in February 2024, with a price tag of $2500. Each ball is labelled by its exact number in the production line, making it a unique collector's item. The high price point is due to the manufacturing costs involved with the materials and technology used. Wilson acknowledges that the ball is not targeted at the masses but rather a niche market.
The Airless Gen1 basketball is a black, hollow ball that was featured in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. It is made using 3D printing technology and a unique lattice structure, which gives it a honeycomb-like design. The ball weighs around 610 grams, slightly less than the maximum weight of a regulation ball, which is 620 grams.
The Airless Gen1 is a significant innovation in the basketball space, as it performs without the need for air. This feature addresses the issue of atmospheric pressure affecting the bounce of the ball in different environments. The ball's lattice design and channel holes also contribute to a more consistent bounce. Wilson has partnered with several companies, including General Lattice, Dye Mansion, and EOS, to develop and distribute this innovative product.
While the initial release of the Airless Gen1 basketball is limited, Wilson eventually aims to make the ball more widely accessible. The company plans to continue iterating on the design and exploring new technologies to improve the accessibility and performance of the airless basketball.
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The ball is black, 3D-printed and hollow
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is black, 3D-printed, and hollow. It is the result of six years of development, employing cutting-edge software and technology to create a basketball that performs without requiring inflation. The ball is 3D-printed using selective laser sintering (SLS), a process that builds the ball layer by layer until the entire sphere is formed. This innovative manufacturing technique uses plastic powder, lasers, and lattice structures to produce a ball that challenges convention.
The black colour of the ball is achieved using 32 Pantone and material chips, creating a sleek and uniform design. Each ball is also labelled by its exact number in the production line, highlighting its exclusivity and limited availability. The 3D-printing technology allows for intricate designs, such as the honeycomb-like structure observed in the ball's layers, connected at each vertex to achieve consistent rebound across its surface.
The ball made its debut in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where KJ Martin substituted a traditional basketball for the Airless Gen1. The ball bounced like a regular ball, showcasing its performance and challenging the notion that a basketball needs to be inflated. This moment marked the first time the public witnessed the unique properties of the Airless Gen1, sparking curiosity and excitement among fans and collectors.
The use of 3D printing technology offers advantages such as design flexibility and streamlined manufacturing. However, it also presents challenges in terms of material properties. The Airless Gen1's performance relies on a single material with holes, unlike traditional basketballs that use multiple materials and compressed air. This innovative design required careful consideration to ensure it met key metrics such as weight, rebound, circumference, and size.
While the $2,500 price tag places the Airless Gen1 in a niche market, Wilson acknowledges that the manufacturing costs are high due to the early stage of the technology. The company aims to eventually make the ball more widely accessible, driving down costs and making it more affordable for the masses. This strategy aligns with their "direct-to-community" approach, fostering relationships with customers and showcasing their commitment to innovation.
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The ball weighs 610 grams, 10 grams under the maximum weight for a regulation ball
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is a 3D-printed ball that does not require inflation. It is made up of two layers of a honeycomb-like structure with a centimeter of depth between them. The ball weighs 610 grams, 10 grams under the maximum weight for a regulation ball, and has the same weight, rebound, circumference, and size as a traditional basketball. It also includes channels that are found on a conventional ball.
The ball was first introduced in 2023 when it appeared in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. In the contest, KJ Martin, with help from his father, Kenyon Sr., a 15-year NBA veteran and former All-Star, switched out a traditional basketball for the Wilson Airless Gen1. The ball bounced like a regular ball, except it was black, hollow, and manufactured with a 3D printer.
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball was released for purchase on Wilson's website on February 16, 2024, for $2,500. Only a few hundred were made, and each ball is labeled by its exact number in the production line. The target audience for the ball is fans, collectors, and tech enthusiasts who enjoy owning a piece of innovation. Wilson's eventual goal is to make the ball more widely accessible as the Gen1 will not be the final iteration of the ball.
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Wilson's goal is to eventually make the ball more widely accessible
Wilson Sporting Goods has developed an airless basketball, the Airless Gen1, which is created using 3D printing technology. The ball is formed using selective laser sintering (SLS) to layer plastic powder until a complete sphere is formed. This innovative design does not require inflation and features a unique lattice structure.
While the Airless Gen1 basketball is currently priced at $2,500, Wilson's goal is to eventually make the ball more widely accessible. The company acknowledges that the manufacturing costs of the ball are high due to the use of advanced materials and technology. However, they believe that the demand for the product justifies this limited release.
Wilson aims to drive down the costs of the Airless Gen1 by improving the manufacturing process and potentially exploring different materials. 3D printing technology is still evolving, and Wilson hopes that as it continues to advance, the costs associated with it will decrease. They also plan to increase the volume of production, which will help to lower the per-unit cost.
To achieve this, Wilson is partnering with several companies, including General Lattice, Dye Mansion, EOS, and SNL Creative, to enhance key aspects of developing and distributing the Airless Gen1. These collaborations will enable them to streamline the manufacturing process and potentially optimize the material choices to reduce costs without compromising performance.
Wilson's strategy of building direct relationships with its customers through store openings and community engagement is also aligned with their goal of making the Airless Gen1 more accessible. By fostering these relationships, they can gain valuable feedback and fine-tune their product to meet the needs and expectations of a wider range of consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball was released on February 16, 2024.
The Airless Gen1 basketball was available for purchase on the Wilson website.
Each ball was priced at $2,500.
Only a few hundred Airless Gen1 basketballs were made.
The basketball is made of plastic powder, formed using 3D printing technology.
