Purdue Students Break World Record with Lightning-Fast Cube-Solving Robot
Discover how a team of undergraduates at Purdue University engineered a robotic marvel that solves a Rubik’s Cube in just 0.103 seconds, shattering previous records and showcasing cutting-edge technology.
Purdue Students Break World Record with Lightning-Fast Cube-Solving Robot
West Lafayette, IN — In a stunning display of engineering prowess, a team of four undergraduate students at Purdue University has shattered the Guinness World Record for the fastest robot to solve a Rubik’s Cube, achieving an astonishing time of just 0.103 seconds. This groundbreaking innovation, dubbed Purdubik’s Cube, not only redefines speed but also showcases the incredible potential of student-led engineering projects.
The previous record, held by Mitsubishi Electric engineers in Japan, stood at 0.305 seconds. The Purdue team’s achievement is nearly three times faster, demonstrating a remarkable leap in robotic capabilities.
Meet the Innovators
The brilliant minds behind this record-breaking robot—Junpei Ota, Aden Hurd, Matthew Patrohay, and Alex Berta—dedicated countless hours to perfecting their creation, often investing their own earnings from co-op rotations. Their hard work paid off when they received official Guinness certification for their achievement.
Purdubik’s Cube made its debut at the SPARK student design competition, where it clinched first place in December 2024. However, the team didn’t rest on their laurels; they continued to refine the robot, enhancing its speed and precision.
The Technology Behind the Speed
So, what makes Purdubik’s Cube tick? The robot employs a sophisticated combination of machine vision for color recognition, custom solving algorithms, and industrial-grade motion control hardware from Kollmorgen. Each movement is meticulously calculated and executed with sub-millisecond precision, optimizing acceleration and mechanical efficiency.
Adding to its allure, the robot features a Bluetooth-enabled “Smart Cube” that allows users to scramble the puzzle in real time. The robot mirrors each move and solves the cube instantly once the scrambling stops.
“We solve in 103 milliseconds,” said Ota. “A human blink takes about 200 to 300 milliseconds. So, before you even realize it’s moving, we’ve solved it.”
A Vision for the Future
Mentored by Nak-seung Patrick Hyun, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, the students’ achievement transcends mere record-breaking. “This isn’t just about speed; it pushes the boundaries of what synthetic systems can do,” Hyun explained. “It brings us closer to understanding ultra-fast coordinated control systems like those found in nature.”
As the world watches, the Purdubik’s Cube team stands as a testament to innovation, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Their achievement not only sets a new benchmark in robotics but also inspires future generations of engineers to dream big and push the limits of technology.
