Robot Rubik's Cube Solver

So we'll take it as a given that there are algorithms for solving the cube, and that machine vision to gather the initial state of the cube is not too hard.

That "only" leaves all of the mechanical parts of the system (plus integration). Plus, I give this one credit for the anthropomorphic design. ("This cube is terminated!")

The algorithms are very interesting I personally like "The Belfast Algorithm".

I'm not saying that the design is easy, just that robotics have progressed to the point where tinkerers are building what would have been state of the art not 5 years ago.

For example they even have a robot that can do the same thing from Lego Mindstorm kits.

I'm not sure I like his design all that much either, but that's just aesthetics.

Quote: "For example they even have a robot that can do the same thing from Lego Mindstorm kits."

You're not saying that this 'toy' actually works, I mean, solving the Rubik? On it's own?

I know it is claimed in the article, but I somehow doubt that it could twist and turn that cube without getting stuck (mechanically, I mean). OK, maybe JP Brown did solve it all!

Yes, Jorrie, this "toy" actually does both the math and the mechanics. The cube had to be specially prepared to reduce friction.

The Robotic solvers are pretty cool, even though you can see how an algorithm can make the solution pretty "easy". What I find much more impressive is the humans who can do the solution blindfolded. See this for instance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZs-Gr6Vcsk&mode=related&search=

Thanks for this Ken, absolutely amazing! How on earth do they remember the dozens of moves? Boggles my mind...

Jorrie

Amazing. I realized I could do that also, but it would involve running the video backwards.

Very good! I've been toying with the idea of doing a parody, where I'd start with a cube in which the only scrambling would be to turn the top row ninety degrees from the solved state. Then I (or better yet, my daughter) would sit there, on camera, intently studying the cube, for half a minute or so, maybe rehearsing the intended move. Then, blindfolded, she'd turn the disturbed row back to the solved position… maybe very slowly and laboriously. Perhaps then she'd take quite a while getting her blindfold off, failing to beat the time of the people who can do the real solution blindfolded.

As you said, Jorrie, it just boggles the mind. Many of us engineering types are very good at spatial relationship challenges… but I couldn't come close… couldn't even begin to come close.

Because I could, I had to make a video of me solving the cube blindfolded. So far no one has guessed how I did it. Most figured that I was peaking through the blindfold. Others figured that I had memorized the moves. Another guess was that I had cleverly spliced the tape. Another that someone off camera was telling me what moves to make. A few might have believed that I could actually do it, although they were in the minority. Others guessed that I practiced a lot (I practice taking the blindfold on and off). To enhance the video, I added the Jeopardy think theme while studying the scrambled cube and then the "Mission Impossible" theme while solving the puzzle.

I have told some of the engineers at work how I did it, but have them sworn to secrecy. For the sales staff, let them believe in the power of Engineers.

Kawasaki robot shows this all the time on the shows.

There is not really a magic thing to that, many kids know how to do that blindfolded using the same method.

I cant explain that more in detail but check out kawasaki website for the latest show in chicago / robot and vision show.

I think the impressive thing with this project is that it was home-built. The cube-solving algorithm may be easy/well-known, but the execution (for a home project) is cool.