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Lego Robot Solves Bigger and Harder Rubik's Cubes

Posted by samzenpus on from the version-2.0 dept.

kkleiner writes "It was only two months ago that we saw Mike Dobson's Cube Stormer Lego robot that could solve any 3x3 Rubik's cube in less than 12 seconds. You would think that there was only one person in the world crazy enough and talented enough to pull this off, but now we have found someone else that is just as amazing. The latest Rubik's cube-solving Lego monstrosity is called the MultiCuber, and although it's constructed out of nothing but Mindstorms components and a laptop, it can solve 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, and 5×5 cubes all in the same build! As if that weren't enough, a larger version solves the dreaded 6×6 Rubik's. We discovered the MultiCuber when its creator, David Gilday (IAssemble), wrote us an email to brag about its puzzle-solving might. Consider us impressed, sir."

63 comments

  1. heeey.... by socceroos · · Score: 4, Funny

    That is kinda cool. Can it make me a sandwich? No? Oh.... Well then.

    1. Re:heeey.... by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      Can it make me a sandwich?

      No kidding. The me-too-ism is too much in this case. There are plenty of useful and novel ideas out there. Even a Lego Roomba-like vacuum would be interesting because it hasn't been done in Legos yet, and the technology may kick off other Lego robot servant crazes. The talent could be put to better use than Rubiks++ in other words.

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
    2. Re:heeey.... by shentino · · Score: 3, Funny

      http://xkcd.com/149/

    3. Re:heeey.... by socceroos · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I saw that one coming...

    4. Re:heeey.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah my reply to that comic is something like, "Your sudo Jedi mind trick won't work on me. I'm running Windows"

    5. Re:heeey.... by Pence128 · · Score: 3, Funny

      if he were running windows, just take out the second and third lines.

      --
      404: sig not found.
    6. Re:heeey.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, but Photoshop CS5 can:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ScWu7pG7r0

    7. Re:heeey.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That should be "made out of Lego yet,"

  2. I for one... by RoadNotTaken · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ...welcome our Lego overlords.

    1. Re:I for one... by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      ...welcome our Lego overlords.

      Be careful what you wish for. It could have far-reaching impact on our entertainment.

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
  3. It's amazing by tpstigers · · Score: 2

    Just when you think they've peaked, Legos get even cooler.

    1. Re:It's amazing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      How much cooler? Does the coolness increase linearly with the size of the cube - 2, 3, 4, 5... n Fonzies? Or does it go as the cube of the size? Perhaps it's exactly as cool as before because it solves the same problem.

    2. Re:It's amazing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No actually most of us stopped caring after the first robot was made. "OH MY GOD IT CAN SOLVE 36x36 cubes" *snores*

    3. Re:It's amazing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's really amazing is that you think that they're called "Legos".

    4. Re:It's amazing by dintech · · Score: 1

      If you think that's good, take a look at the rest of the internet. It's awe inspiring.

    5. Re:It's amazing by MyLongNickName · · Score: 1

      Actually, the more I see people whine about this, the more it makes me want to say 'legos'.

      --
      See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
    6. Re:It's amazing by Enigma23 · · Score: 1

      Can it solve a Rubik’s Dodecahedron yet?

      I gues they'll need a Beowulf Cluster to solve one of those... ;p

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une .sig
  4. Conditions of cube? by treeves · · Score: 1

    Does it have to be one of those well-broken-in, lubricated cubes that easily spin, or does it work with a stiff cube just out of the packaging? I'd bet it would not.

    --
    ...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
    1. Re:Conditions of cube? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's alright. Neither do most speedcubers.

    2. Re:Conditions of cube? by Sulphur · · Score: 1

      Lubed Cubes? Oh well, if it is sensitive to initial conditions then.

    3. Re:Conditions of cube? by tsalmark · · Score: 4, Funny

      well-broken-in, lubricated and stiff all in the same sentence, but no sex, only on slashdot.

    4. Re:Conditions of cube? by SuperMonkeyCube · · Score: 5, Informative
      The reason that most speedcubers use the Fridrich method is that it is affected less by cube conditions than the corners first method used by Minh Thai in the 80's. A corners first method involves a lot of slice moves (turning the middle layer between the two outer layers), effectively doubling the frictional force required to turn it. The Fridrich method has a large move table and emphasis on face turns instead of slices. The Kociemba algorithm, like what you would find in the 'Cube Explorer' program, uses a much larger move table even than the Fridrich algorithm, and is optimized for a low number of face turns - although not always minimal, it's usually pretty close. So even if the thing wasn't lubed that well, it's going to be fast just because of the low number of moves that it will be able to compute. I would also hope that the robot would be able to apply more torque more precisely than a human and isn't doing more than one cube turn with a given motion, so it has a good chance of overcoming the friction of a new cube. Human cubers do things like RU' (right face clockwise, top face counterclockwise) with a single hand motion and an unlubed cube would hang up on the transition between the two motions. The robot would do two separate clean twists without having to worry about a transition.

      All of the V-Cubes, which would be any 6x6x6 or 7x7x7 available that I know of, are more speedcubing friendly right out of the box, as its design was done with correcting for small misalignments in mind so as not to put too much torque on the pieces when turning the cube.

    5. Re:Conditions of cube? by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 4, Funny

      You forgot "bigger and harder" in the title. This whole thread is just one big Freudian slit.

    6. Re:Conditions of cube? by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I semen what you did there.

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    7. Re:Conditions of cube? by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

      I don't get it.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    8. Re:Conditions of cube? by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      Does it have to be one of those well-broken-in, lubricated cubes that easily spin, or does it work with a stiff cube just out of the packaging? I'd bet it would not.

      For times well under a minute, at least a lubricated one. Even speed cubers use graphite or something. And those one-handled cubers (the ones who solve two cubes simultaneously) require it - I don't think one hand has enough agility and strength to do the twists of a brand new cube.

    9. Re:Conditions of cube? by MyLongNickName · · Score: 2, Informative

      I don't get it.

      This is slashdot. You will fit in quite well here.

      --
      See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
    10. Re:Conditions of cube? by DJCouchyCouch · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Slashdot comments talking about lego robots and the different algorithms to solving Rubik's cube used by practitioners of an obscure sport/activity?

      I am SO turned on right now.

    11. Re:Conditions of cube? by DJCouchyCouch · · Score: 1

      Flamebait!? I was serious! I was having a true blue nerdgasm.

      Sheesh!

  5. Mindstorm is cool and all by tsalmark · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But that little "and a laptop" covers a whole bunch of the needed magic.

    1. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by Volante3192 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yeah, if only someone could build a robot capable of doing something without having to be programmed, that'd be AWESOME!

    2. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by wvmarle · · Score: 1

      And of course the actual thinking that has gone into it from both the builder(s) and the programmer(s) to make it actually be able to work. That also doesn't come from Lego.

      The "only" magic that comes out of the Lego factory is of course in the form of accurate actuators, step motors, position sensors, and whatnot built into that hardware.

    3. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by tsalmark · · Score: 1

      not so much that as: mindstorm was not the main part of the solution.

    4. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by n17ikh · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The same guy has built a cube solver powered by an NXT and a nokia phone doing the processing, and could easily do the same with just an NXT (two, maybe?) since there is plenty of processing power there and it can even do the image recognition. People have already done this, in fact.

      --
      Hard work pays off tomorrow, but procrastination pays off NOW!
    5. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by cmacb · · Score: 1

      I don't think it really counts until they can also build the computer that calculates the solution out of legos.

    6. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by omglolbah · · Score: 1

      Yep, the NXT is just acting as an IO card at this point... which you can do with any hardware really...

      It takes away most of the "boring" task of doing the physical construction and circuitry for the robot. That is really all the NXT is doing...

      (boring in quotes as I actually enjoy that part quite a lot..)

    7. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by edittard · · Score: 1

      I don't think it really counts until they can also build the computer that calculates the solution out of legos.

      What language will they write the softwares' codes in?

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    8. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by BattleApple · · Score: 1

      assembly language of course

    9. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by escherblacksmith · · Score: 1

      I have to agree with the former. the mindstorm stuff is cool, but if I am reading and watching it right, the 'solution' is handled at the software level. It would be the same as the computer telling you what moves to process to solve one. Kinda like having those old chess games that would tell you where to move its pieces as you were playing it. The laptop is the solution/brain, the mindstorms are a very slick, but inherently non-intelligent interface.

    10. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by Volante3192 · · Score: 1

      That applies to all robots though, like this:

      http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=10/04/09/1325235
      The carving side, essentially, is dumb and just doing what HyperMill tells it to do, but without the carving side the software is useless.

      To write off mindstorms simply because they require "a computer" pretty much writes off every other robot as well because they need a computer to do the job as well.

      I guess I'm wondering how you would view a Willow Garage PR2 solving the rubik's cube. Is that more 'legit' because the software and hardware are one piece?

    11. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by edittard · · Score: 1

      You fail comprehensions.

      --
      At the bottom of the /. main page it says 'Yesterday's News'. Well they got that right.
    12. Re:Mindstorm is cool and all by BattleApple · · Score: 1

      Possibly.. and you fail lame humor detection.

  6. Anyone ever tackle Alexander's Star? by adosch · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have spent a good chunk of time trying to solve Rubik's cube my brute force (when I started) and after understanding the true mechanics and a small big of mathematics, I've gotten better, not nothing that rivals these Legato Storms!

    However at a garage sale awhile back, I found Alexander's Star, which is a 12-pointed star cube oddity similiar (or rival) to the Rubik's cube I could only assume. I'd love to see a Mindstorm tackle this bad boy; I still haven't come even close to figuring this one out.

  7. Here's a much faster lego cube solving robot by Rick+Bentley · · Score: 2, Interesting

    sub 20 seconds, reliably: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaRcWB3jwMo

    --
    My favorite quote doesn't fit into 120 characters. Now no one will like me.
    1. Re:Here's a much faster lego cube solving robot by Devrdander · · Score: 1

      Thats already in the summary above, and it only does the standard cube, this one can do larger cubes.

  8. The LAPTOP solves the cube... by Trip6 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...the robot only actuates the solution.

    --
    I hate being bipolar; it's awesome!
    1. Re:The LAPTOP solves the cube... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      you must be great at parties

    2. Re:The LAPTOP solves the cube... by omglolbah · · Score: 4, Funny

      I go to parties where such comments are the norm :-p

      You might be surprised at the level of geekiness in some circles and how well they can party ;)

      You know you have geeky friends when one of the girls refers to her clitoris as "the win button" :-p

    3. Re:The LAPTOP solves the cube... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unless you are into cougar action, I'd be wary of clitoris that remembers the Ford administration

    4. Re:The LAPTOP solves the cube... by steelfood · · Score: 1

      I guess her panties are the final boss that you have to take down before you can get to it.

      --
      "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
  9. I dont care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Consider me completely indifferent to this (clever Ill grant you) robot

  10. Re:The software solves the cube... by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 1

    ... the laptop just runs the software.

    Or is the software part of the laptop in this setup? By the same token, I think colloquial use of the word "robot" does include the computer controlling the mechanics, probably including software as well. Just thought I'd throw that in while we were being geeky ;)

    --
    If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
  11. The ALGORITHM solves the cube... by ectoraige · · Score: 1

    ...the laptop only implements the algorithm.

    --
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    1. Re:The ALGORITHM solves the cube... by ascari · · Score: 1

      ... and the algorithm is only a window into the vast solution space of Rubik's cubes ... and the...

      At the risk of being assholish: Perhaps we can stop now?

    2. Re:The ALGORITHM solves the cube... by ectoraige · · Score: 1

      I'm good.

      --
      Vs lbh pna ernq guvf, ybt bss abj. Tb bhgfvqr. Syl n xvgr.
  12. Re:The software solves the cube... by SharpFang · · Score: 1

    Well, that's all right except a laptop isn't a lego brick.
    If the whole software was running in the small controller "brick" that controls the motors, no laptop needed, I'd agree this robot was "all LEGO".

    --
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  13. Why is this so impressive? by Theovon · · Score: 1

    It's definitely cool to look at. I'll give you that. And it's cool that someone was able to take a concept involving both AI and robotics and actually build it to completion.

    But from a computer science perspective, it's really not a huge deal. First off, although I personally would probably struggle a bit with the robotics because I don't do robotics, I know people who do, and they would find this robot to be mechanically rather trivial. Then the brains behind it, the algorithms to solve rubic's cubes, aren't all that tough either. Really, no one here would be all that impressed if this person solved the rubic's cube problem in simulation. Mostly because that's been done a thousand times.

    So, what are we impressed by? The fact that someone put together two simple ideas? Or the fact that they had the drive to see it through and make it work and fully debug it, something that some of the rest of us probably lack?

  14. That's what... by tbcpp · · Score: 1

    "wrote us an email to brag about its puzzle-solving might"
    That's what she said!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-wf2pP7T0Y)

    --
    Man is the lowest-cost, 150-pound, nonlinear, all-purpose computer system which can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.
  15. Bigger cubes? by Von+Helmet · · Score: 1

    Big deal. Call me when it can do a 4 dimensional Rubik's cube.

  16. Also Bigger Cubes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A 6x6 cube is solved the same as a 4x4, and a 7x7 is solved the same as a 5x5, so it's really not that impressive that a machine that can do 4x4/5x5 could do 6x6 and above