Machine solves Rubik’s cube in 380 milliseconds

Hobbyists have succeeded in building a machine that can solve a Rubik’s cube in 380 milliseconds. The two think they can shave about 100 milliseconds off the record by tuning the machine.

The time of 380 milliseconds, measured from pressing the button on the computer until the last face of the solved cube is complete, improves on the existing record that stood at 637 milliseconds.

The machine needs 335 milliseconds for all movements, the remaining time is for processing the image and calculating the steps to take. To capture the image, they used two PlayStation Eye cameras, each with an LED next to it.

The two technicians used four Kollmorgen ServoDisc U9 N9M4T motors and two UD9-E variants for the movements, in combination with self-built controllers. The cubes they used in the preparation were cheap and had to be extra secured to prevent ‘cubesplosions’.

The hobbyists have described their work in an extensive report.