  Laser has become a powerful tool to manipulate micro-particles and atoms by
radiation pressure force or photophoretic force, but optical manipulation is
less noticeable for large objects. Optically-induced negative forces have been
proposed and demonstrated to pull microscopic objects for a long distance, but
are hardly seen for macroscopic objects. Here, we report the direct observation
of unusual light-induced attractive forces that allow pulling and lifting
centimeter-sized light-absorbing objects off the ground by a light beam. This
negative force is based on the radiometric effect on a curved vane and its
magnitude and temporal responses are directly measured with a pendulum. This
large force (\~4.4 {\mu}N) allows overcoming the gravitational force and
rotating a motor with four-curved vanes (up to 600 rpm). Optical pulling of
macroscopic objects may find nontrivial applications for solar
radiation-powered near-space propulsion systems and for understanding the
mechanisms of negative photophoretic forces.
