Kawasaki robot solves Rubik's Cube in seconds flat

We've seen robots that could solve a Rubik's Cube in nearly no time, but Kawasaki's Cube-Kun can pick one up, figure out the solution and sip down some lemonade all in the extended blink of an eye. Reportedly, this brainiac was created with absolutely one goal in life, and judging by eyewitness reports, it succeeds mightily. The fellow rocks a huge flat-panel display as a face and utilizes built-in sensors to determine the current position of each square and how to most quickly solve it. Interestingly, we heard that sabotaging the cube by removing a sticker would send Cube-Kun into fits of uncontrollable rage, but apparently, no one's been courageous enough to test its patience.

[Via TokyoMango]

[rxse7en @ Dec 17th 2007 7:51PM]

Six seconds...It's been nearly 30 years for me and I can still only get one side.

[Nicolas Kim @ Dec 19th 2007 3:54PM]

My record right now is around 25 seconds for the 3x3. My record for the 4x4 is a lot more, probably 5 minutes usually. I use a white DIY cube with CubeSmith textured tiles... I'm a cube addict. =P
I've been cubing for around 3 months now. I use the beginner method, still learning the Fridrich method. You can find bajillions of methods on YouTube or by simply searching on google. It's a lot of fun and I hope to go to an official competition once I get to below 20 seconds average. (:

[Blake Bowen @ Dec 18th 2007 12:16AM]

Kim, you have far, far too much time on your hands.

[karts41 @ Dec 18th 2007 2:26AM]

Robot: "What? This is the most confusing and mysterious device you have? Give me your best shot Puny Meat Bag!"

Puny Meat Bag: "Argh.......this is the Sony Rolio......"

[cmonkey @ Dec 17th 2007 7:52PM]

This, more than anything else I've seen posted at Engadget, needs a video.

[Anthony @ Dec 17th 2007 9:07PM]

I agree. I can't think how fast he must be taking the stickers off & putting them back on.

Or he's totally advanced & is cracking it open & putting it back together.

Either way- really fast finger action.

[Liz Ashley @ Dec 18th 2007 6:29PM]

This must be an experiment to show all the things that Kawasaki robots can do.

Yea I didn't find a Cube Video but watch the even more amazing things the Kawasaki robots can do!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Kawasaki+robot&search=Search

[jwj @ Dec 17th 2007 10:56PM]

http://www.khi.co.jp/kawasakiworld/movie/movie_11.htm

[JTM @ Dec 18th 2007 2:14AM]

Another video, much longer than 6 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-xCh7deefs

[murray @ Dec 17th 2007 7:58PM]

I like how it has legs.

[Austin @ Dec 18th 2007 4:05PM]

agreed.

[Sora267 @ Dec 17th 2007 8:00PM]

Six seconds?!

Well, I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 18th 2007 12:43AM]

Now if it could only be reprogrammed to play counterstrike using a keyboard and mouse.

[skhawaja @ Dec 17th 2007 8:03PM]

Kawasaki Ninjaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :]

[amg @ Dec 17th 2007 8:08PM]

i love the big red star on his head.
damn those communist robots. oops :)

[Will @ Dec 17th 2007 8:09PM]

I think the expression "one-trick pony" is becoming a little dated.

[rp @ Dec 17th 2007 8:08PM]

This particular model will be very helpful in rearranging your body parts as quickly and painfully as possible during your interrogation, you pitiful meat bag.

[Skullfighter @ Dec 17th 2007 9:01PM]

HAHAHAHA...that gave me a good extended laugh. Long live KOTOR. The only game to come close is Mass Effect.

[J.P. Weiksnar @ Dec 17th 2007 8:16PM]

What the hell must that thing be consuming to demand being attached to a soil pipe of that gauge? Man alive, that output rivals some of roommates in college. . . .

[jimmyfinch @ Dec 17th 2007 8:22PM]

It is for the memory dump.

[Tyler @ Dec 17th 2007 8:14PM]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p-xCh7deefs

[Mayank @ Dec 17th 2007 8:21PM]

That seems longer than 6 seconds...
It took it probably 6 seconds to take a single turn...

[Bruce @ Dec 17th 2007 8:27PM]

It must be six seconds to calculate the solution, because according to the video, it took much longer to execute.

This robot is much faster, only taking about 30 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i25cfdcum7U&NR=1

[Homeboy @ Dec 17th 2007 8:31PM]

Can I please have my 4 minutes and 12 seconds back please?

[Low @ Dec 17th 2007 9:11PM]

Pfft. As if your silly time is worth anything.

[peace @ Dec 17th 2007 8:25PM]

"Solves Rubik's Cube in seconds flat", is a bit deceptive. Maybe it arrives at the solution in 6 seconds, but telling from the video, it takes muuuch longer to actually execute every turn.

[Hammond X @ Dec 18th 2007 12:05AM]

Big deal. I can solve it in seconds, too. 31,536,000 seconds in a year times......what time is it now?

[3rdsun @ Dec 17th 2007 8:26PM]

Can it solve world hunger or enemy conflicts. Didn't think so but nice try

[Reader @ Dec 17th 2007 8:29PM]

Well if it did it would fail terribly at the one goal they were aiming for, which is solving a Rubik's cube...

[odemata @ Dec 17th 2007 8:44PM]

But can it play Doom

[Rocky @ Dec 17th 2007 11:46PM]

I just cant wait till the day we can punch people through the internet

[RC @ Dec 17th 2007 8:35PM]

Big deal.

Computers are good at what they are programmed to do. (Programmed by humans who invented them.)

The rubics cube has been solved since it was invented, now some stupid computer can do it in six seconds...

[WebOn @ Dec 17th 2007 8:39PM]

Rubicube... boring!

can it play doom???

[skhawaja @ Dec 17th 2007 8:40PM]

TALK NOW OR OUR FRIEND WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY WITH YOUR NADS!

[rxse7en @ Dec 18th 2007 8:19AM]

"THIS CUBE IS CHAMPIN' FOR A CLAMPIN'!"

[greatslack @ Dec 17th 2007 9:38PM]

"Oh poo manufacturing community"

Thank you Google Translate.

[awam @ Dec 17th 2007 9:42PM]

I for one welcome our new rubix cube solving overlord

[Grant @ Dec 17th 2007 10:02PM]

Seriously, this is a much much better solving, using one hand (can the robot do that?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJz02Nh99Cs

[Brent @ Dec 17th 2007 10:12PM]

So with that kind of dexterity it's a shame that the guy will probably never get a woman...

...I'm not going to say any more than that.

[Brent @ Dec 17th 2007 10:06PM]

Version 2 perhaps? It appears as though the youtube video is a different robot than the engadget picture. Look at the 'ears'. The read link says that it can figure the solution in about 1 second, the youtube video looks like it takes the bot a good 15-30 seconds.

[Brent @ Dec 17th 2007 10:22PM]

Wow, so there's a lot more than that. Different design on the chest. Different color dots on the legs. I guess it isn't certain, but if it is a 2.0 the only question I really have is, WHY? Sure 1 is neat, but putting in the time for a second seems like a huge waste.

[js @ Dec 17th 2007 10:26PM]

Will it blend? That is the question.

[GregA @ Dec 18th 2007 12:11AM]

Sure just fit a wisk in those clamps for hands and start spinning them. I am sure it would make a fine blender. A bit pricier than these ones though...

http://www.blendtec.com/

[Sauerkraut @ Dec 17th 2007 11:17PM]

before read comments I knew there was going to be the robot overlord talk lol

engadget it so predictable

either it's robot overlords or asian girls in front of samsung stuff or can it play doom

[keeZ @ Dec 17th 2007 11:38PM]

Somewhere, in a dimly blue-lit cell, Asimo is gently folding origami cranes and wishing he could cry.

[netgarou @ Dec 18th 2007 3:04AM]

the robot has a third leg.

[lancerdud @ Dec 18th 2007 3:35AM]

I for one welcome our rob... oops...

But can it play Do... oops...




sigh, I'm late... :(

[boynamedsue @ Dec 18th 2007 10:48AM]

whatever, I could pin it.

go wrestling team!

[Electromodo @ Dec 18th 2007 11:31PM]

CooL! :)