Macao Science Center with New Exhibit, the Rubik’s Cube Solver Robot
The Macao Science Center unveils a new exhibit, the Rubik’s Cube Solver Robot today at the Robotics Gallery (Gallery 7) of the Exhibition Center.
With a dual-arm design, the Rubik’s Cube Solver Robot comes with a visual detection system, an analysis system, a transport device and a timer that allows the Robot to solve a scrambled Rubik’s Cube within 1.5 minute. Once the robot receives a Cube, the visual detection system will take images of the Cube in 6 different directions while the built-in analysis system calculates for the fastest way to solve the Cube. The arms of the robot then start solving the Cube according to the analysis. Finally, the robot returns the Cube to the visitor on the conveyor belt while the timer shows the unscrambling time required for solving the Cube.
Rubik’s Cube lovers can either choose to watch the robot perform with great speed and skill or they can challenge the robot to see who can be faster in solving a scrambled Cube!
The Rubik’s Cube is also known as the “Magic Cube”. It is a mechanical puzzle invented in 1974 by the Hungarian professor of architecture Ernö Rubik who also happens to be a sculptor. It was then produced internationally since 1980. Over the past 30 years, more than 300 million Cubes were sold worldwide. Not only is the Rubik’s Cube a great tool in developing one’s spatial thinking ability, it can also help improve finger dexterity, thus making the Rubik’s Cube one of the most popular puzzles in the world.
The Rubik’s Cube Solver Robot was designed and developed in Japan, and it was built with the collaborative effort of a joint venture between China and Japan. It is the first public display of the robot of its kind outside Japan.
Today is 2012-02-10 Fri 
