• Question: can lego solve a rubiks cube ?

    Asked by sophie2 on 6 Jan 2015.
    • Photo: Steve Cox

      Steve Cox answered on 6 Jan 2015:

      Lego itself can’t solve a Rubik’s Cube. What you saw on Lecture 3 was a type of robot who’s casing was made from lego. When the cube was put inside it a series of photographs was taken first so that it could work out the solution, and all that took place in less than a second. The next three seconds were then spent with small fingers inside it turning the sides of the cube to get to the solution. It was amazing to see it working so quickly.

    • Photo: Fiona Dickinson

      Fiona Dickinson answered on 6 Jan 2015:

      Hi Sophie, I’m glad the chat inspired you!

      Yeah, its true that lego itself can’t solve the cube it needs some ‘software’ to tell it what to do, but there is a subset of lego called mindstorms which is what you get when you cross lego and a robot!

      http://www.lego.com/en-gb/mindstorms/news/2012/april/have-your-own-robot-solve-a-rubiks-cube

      See if you can get your science or ICT teacher to have a look because I think lego mindstorms is a really great introduction to this stuff, there is load of information available and a really active community.

      The bit that solves the cube on this version is a lot simpler (so not as fast) but the software is all there available.

      (note I don’t work for lego I just love it!)

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