What is the Rubik's Cube record? The fastest way to solve a Rubik's cube
Ben Katz/YouTube
Robotics expert Ben Katz and software developer Jared Di Carlo have created a robot that can solve a Rubik's cube in 0.38 seconds. This is a record time, says Di Carlo in his blog, although at the moment it has not been officially confirmed.
The Rubik's Cube was invented back in 1974, but the puzzle is still very popular. People addicted high-speed assembly Rubik's cubes are called speedcubers, and the process itself is called speedcubing (from the English speedcubing). Today's record belongs to the American Lucas Etter, who in November 2015 collected puzzle in 4.904 seconds. Similar competitions are also held among robots: until now, the robot of engineers from the company Infeon was considered the unofficial “champion”. In 2016, he solved a Rubik's cube in 0.637 seconds. However, now Katz and Di Carlo have developed a robot that improved the previous record holder's result by 40 percent.
Like all similar devices, the researchers' robot uses a camera (in in this case PlayStation Eye), which transfers pictures of the sides of a Rubik's cube to the computer. It determines the arrangement of the puzzle pieces and then passes the data to the min2phase program, which is based on Herbert Kotzemba's two-phase algorithm. In a fraction of a second, the computer calculates the optimal solution to the problem, after which it sends a command to the robot, and it moves all the elements in the required way.
To speed up the process, Katz used Kollmorgen ServoDisk motors, which have a very high torque-to-inertia ratio. In addition, the engineer built a special controller that allows you to rotate the side of a Rubik's cube 90 degrees in just 10 milliseconds. Provided that the puzzle can be completed in, on average, 19-23 moves, Katz and Di Carlo's robot should solve the problem in 0.25 seconds. However, in reality the process takes 0.38 seconds, since the machine currently makes one movement every 15 milliseconds.
The developers are confident that in the future they will be able to improve their results. Currently, the setup process is time-consuming because debugging must be done using a high-speed camera, and errors sometimes lead to the puzzle breaking or the field-effect transistors exploding. However, a hundred different solutions required only 4 Rubik's cubes. The video below shows one of the unsuccessful attempts to assemble the puzzle:
Recently, programmer Martin Spanel developed software, which allows you to solve a Rubik's cube using augmented reality glasses. In real time it displays required action using an AR headset directly on top of one of the faces of the cube.
Kristina Ulasovich
Everyone knows such a puzzle as the Rubik's Cube. Many people tried to set the assembly record. But who succeeded? This is what we will talk about. But first things first.
Sculptor Ernő Rubik invented the famous puzzle in 1974, all this time it has been gaining popularity and has become the best-selling toy in the world. IN different parts light, Ernő’s invention is called differently, in most countries it is called the “Rubik’s Cube”, although the author initially called it the “Magic Cube”. This name is firmly attached to the toy in China, Germany and Portugal.
Varieties of Rubik's Cube
There are many varieties of Rubik's cube. Some of them differ in the number of cells in a face: in a standard puzzle, each of the six faces consists of 9 cells, but 2x2x2 cubes and, to a lesser extent, other types, for example 7x7x7, are also common. There is a known case of creating a cube with dimensions 17x17x17. Obviously, the more elements that form one face, the more difficult it is to assemble such a cube.
Some have completely different shapes, such as octahedron, dodecahedron and so on. It is worth noting that the so-called Moldavian pyramid, or Meffert’s pyramid, was invented earlier than the Rubik’s cube.
World record for assembling the “Magic Cube”
Everyone is well aware of the Rubik's Cube puzzle. They tried to set the assembly record in many countries around the world. Enthusiasts who solve Rubik's cubes against time are called speedcubers. Until 2014, official records were updated quite often, but breaking best results it becomes more difficult over time.
Today, the official world record is that the Rubik's Cube is solved in just five and a half seconds. This result was given by Mats Volk, displacing the one who completed the puzzle in 5.66 seconds.
It is worth noting that the ex-champion recorded a video in which he installed new record assemblies. He solved the Rubik's cube in just 4.21 seconds, but this fact is not official, and some even dispute it this result. Another unofficial record is held by the robot CubeStormer-3, which was designed by two enthusiasts. As you can easily guess from the name of the robot, designers have already tried to create a mechanism that can assemble a puzzle faster than a human, but they succeeded only in March 2014. World record: CubeStormer-3 solved the Rubik's cube in 3.25 seconds, finally surpassing Felix Zemdegs.
Puzzle in the world
There are constantly many competitions related to this puzzle taking place around the world. In addition to assembling various variations of the cube against the clock, there are even competitions for solving the Rubik's cube blindfolded. Yes, few can even with with open eyes Solve a Rubik's Cube in less than a minute. The world record for blind assembly is 26 seconds! It belongs to Marshall Andrew, an enthusiast from Hungary.
Rubik's Cube in Russia
In Russia this puzzle also received widespread, almost every schoolchild knows the standard Rubik's cube. And the older generation knows the Rubik's cube. They tried to set a record for the assembly at competitions dedicated to this. The first serious competition related to the “Magic Cube” in our country took place at the beginning of 2009, since then open assembly championships have been periodically organized. It is worth noting that among the programs at all-Russian tournaments there are various types of puzzles with edge sizes from two to seven.
Rubik's Cube: record for assembling in Russia
The most famous speedcuber in Russia is Sergey Ryabko. His fame was brought to him by his victory in many international competitions related to the famous puzzle. Sergei is also a two-time European champion in this type of activity. Professional career Ryabko started speedcubing in 2010. At this time, an open championship for assembling the “Magic Cube” was held in Moscow, dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the puzzle. At these competitions, Sergei became the winner in two categories. It is worth noting that at that time the speedcuber was only 15 years old.
That same year, Ryabko unseated the reigning European champion during the international championship in Budapest. The speedcuber became the European champion for the second time in 2012, taking the place of Michal Pleskovich from Poland.
Sergei has repeatedly won all-Russian competitions and was often invited by the organizers of similar tournaments abroad. This speedcuber can also solve some types of Rubik's cube blind.
In 2009, Ernő Rubik came up with another puzzle - the Rubik's sphere. Assembling this invention requires more complex hand movements, and the process is complicated by the fact that gravity must be taken into account to be successful.
American schoolboy Colin Burns managed to set a new record for solving the famous Rubik's cube. The new achievement is 5.25 seconds. The teenager did everything faster than the previous record holder by 0.30 seconds. It is difficult to imagine that such a speed of assembling a puzzle is generally possible, but practice shows that people sometimes do what few people expect from them.
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It should be noted that the Rubik's cube is already 40 years old and during this time it has been used to establish huge amount records. In addition, this puzzle is recognized as one of the most successful of those that have been created in the entire history of mankind. The Rubik's cube allows you to develop spatial thinking and fine motor skills, and is also ideal for people of any gender and age.
If you want to test yourself, you can purchase such a puzzle at any toy store, especially since now numerous variations of it have appeared on the market, some of which provide certain complications to the task. However, first, it is recommended to practice on the standard version of the puzzle, because even mastering it is not as easy as it seems at first glance.
Colin's record was recorded during the competition for the prizes of the World Cube Association, which took place in the town of Doylestown (Pennsylvania, America). Very soon, these data will be officially confirmed, after which the record will appear on the pages of the next edition of the Guinness Book of Records, along with hundreds of other new and no less interesting achievements.
It is important to note that records for solving a Rubik's cube are constantly being set, and the previous one was officially certified in 2013. Considering the interest in this puzzle and the number of people doing something similar on an ongoing basis, then there is a high probability that the next achievement will not be long in coming. In the meantime, Colin Burns can rightfully be considered the person who can solve a Rubik's cube faster than anyone else on this planet.
Speedcubers, who are they? A speedcuber is a person who solves a Rubik's cube at speed. And in fact, anyone who times themselves while solving a Rubik's cube is a speedcuber. And even if his result is 40 minutes, this person is still a speedcuber.
However, any novice speedcuber is able to assemble this puzzle in less time. But what are real pros capable of in this matter? Do you know anything about them?
The first world record was set by 16-year-old Vietnamese-American student Minh Thai, who was able to solve the puzzle in 22.95 seconds. This happened at the world's first speedcubing championship - World Rubik's Cube Championship 1982. This is especially impressive considering that the record was not set on a modern speed cube with magnets, but on one of the first versions of the Rubik's cube, which had a very mediocre torsion.
After this there was a lull. Not because there were no tournaments, but because there was no organization that could organize the results of all participants.
In 2004, this place was taken by the WCA - World Cube Association. From that moment on, the results of all participants are saved in the database.
Since those distant times, records have been updated more than once. The rules and dice have changed, new disciplines have been added, and, of course, new record holders have appeared.
The best in the business
One of the best speedcubers of this decade, the record holder among record holders is Felix Zemdegs. This young Australian has already set 117 world records and holds the current world record in the 3x3x3 cube - 4.22 seconds for a single attempt and 5.8 seconds for the average of five solves, in 4x4 and 5x5 cubes, in solving a Rubik's cube with one hand.
His results are impressive, although he started out like all speedcubers. In 2008, when he was 12 years old, he became interested in speedcubing and began training. By January 2010, he was the first in the world to solve a Rubik's cube in less than 10 seconds. Since then he has won everything and won competitions. And at the age of 17, at the World Championships, Felix proved that he was the best speedcuber in the world.
It may seem that Felix Zemdegs does not meet competition at tournaments, but this is by no means the case. It has many competitors from different countries.
One of its main competitors is Max Park. The American athlete already holds 12 world records. Of course, after Felix's results, this is not all that impressive, but if you dig deeper, each of them is amazing.
What is his record for the average time of five solving a Rubik's cube with one hand? He was the first in the world to do this in less than 10 seconds. He also holds records in solving 6x6 and 7x7 cubes, both in a single assembly and in the average time of five assemblies, as well as in the average time on a 4x4 cube.
And the next record holder is known not only for his records - Mats Falk (this is how his last name is read in Dutch). His name began to be mentioned many times more often after he signed a contract with QiYi MoFangGe, one of the world's main brands. Their flagship model was named after him, you all know everything about this cube - it is now one of the best.
Mats was able to set 5 world records. But the most offensive situation happened to him at the Jawa Timur Open 2016. It was there that he set a world record of 4.74 seconds, but not for long. A little later, at the same competition, Felix Zemdegs cleared 4.73 and broke Mats' record.
And Max Park took all the records from Kevin Hayes, not only world ones, but also national ones, because they are both from the USA. But still, Kevin was the first person in the world who was able to solve a 7x7 cube in less than 2 minutes, and he was already able to set 20 world records.
Moreover, the Yuxin company cooperates with the American. They want to name a 7x7 cube after him, and maybe even a whole series of large cubes. And since Yuxin knows how to make quick and high-quality puzzles, the series will undoubtedly turn out great.
It may seem that all the best speedcubers are abroad, but this is not the case. There are many worthy speedcubers in our country.
For example, Dmitry Dobryakov. It is he who holds the Russian record for solving a Rubik's cube both in a single attempt and in average time. And it is he who will represent Russia at the World Cup Red Bull Rubik's Cube in Boston.
And in due time the whole world learned the name of Vladislav Shavelsky, who set two world records in such a discipline as solving a 7x7x7 cube. He also set 13 European records and 27 Russian records in disciplines from 4x4x4 to 7x7x7. He still holds the Russian records for assembling 5x5x5 and 7x7x7 cubes.
Or Roman Strakhov, who has repeatedly set world and European records for solving a 5x5x5 Rubik's cube blindly. He is now ranked third in the world in this discipline.
Russian speedcubing also knows the name of Dmitry Kryuzban, who set 60 Russian records and even a European record.
Every year we discover new names and faces that bring Russian speedcubing to the world level. Some of them are close to national records or have already achieved them: Alexey Zharikov, Artem Ganzha, Andrey Che and many others.
How to reach a professional level in speedcubing?
But how to achieve such results? Is it even possible to catch up with such speedcubing mastodons? And how to do this?
Of course, such results are achieved after many years training. But everyone has different abilities and approaches to training, so there is no universal method.
There are a lot different ways assemblies: Jessica Friedrich method, Roux method, ZZ and many others. Try different formulas, training methods and you will find the one that suits you.
And no matter how many formulas you know, don’t stop. Each new formula improves your skills.
But no matter what method you use, you definitely need to study the Look ahead technique, literally “look ahead.” The point is to think through all your moves in advance.
To train it, you need to use a type of training called slow turn, that is, specifically collect the cube slowly and see all the movements of the elements.
