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Self-solving Rubik’s Cube could just be a really smart poltergeist

Self-solving Rubik’s Cube could just be a really smart poltergeist

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This robotic Rubik’s Cube is the product of a Japanese creator who’s documented many of his creative projects on his YouTube channel, Human Controller. Yes, it has a custom 3D-printed core attached to servo motors that are programmed to solve the cube, which is all laid out in this process post here. But when he puts the Rubik’s Cube onto the table to run free and solve itself, it really looks like a super nerdy poltergeist is doing his best to impress his seventh grade crush.

As much as I want to believe this is the work of a really smart ghost, the self-solving Rubik’s Cube is a project that’s been years in the making. The cube, which is now the same dimensions as a standard Rubik’s Cube, originally started off much bigger (seen here in the version he posted a year ago). It’s impressive that he got it down to the size it is now because the cube hides a tangle of wires, electronics, and batteries.

The inner workings of the latest self-solving Rubik’s Cube.
The inner workings of the latest self-solving Rubik’s Cube.
Image: Human Controller
A 3D mock-up of the motors.
A 3D mock-up of the motors.
Image: Human Controller

The self-solving Rubik’s Cube automates fun in a similar way as the Where’s Waldo-spotting robot we saw a while back. The only difference is that finding Waldo is actually possible for me, whereas solving a Rubik’s Cube is not. So go on, you nerdy poltergeist!