Japanese robot breaks Rubik’s Cube record, experts discuss technology’s influence

As a robot in Japan sets the new speed cube record at less than one second, professional cubers decode how technology might change the joy of cubing. Plus, a list of suitable platforms to get you hooked on to cubing

Leave it to Lao Tzu to come up with the oddest inventions. “A perfect cube,” the 6th century Chinese philosopher said, “has no corners.” That would have frustrated Erno Rubik. The Hungarian inventor’s creation of the multi-coloured Rubik’s Cube has been the boon and bane of many a puzzle solver. Yet, the latest progression of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is that a robot at the component production center of the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in Japan solved the cube in 0.305 seconds. The human world-record stands at 3.13 seconds by Max Park. As technology enters the bastion of puzzle-solving, we reach out to cubing professionals and competitive cubers to tell us more. 

AI is only a tool

I have been cubing for seven years now, and participated in World Cubing Association competitions. My single-solve is currently at 10.33 seconds, and a blindfold is at 24 seconds. Initially, people said three seconds is an impossible time to solve a cube. While we cannot compare machines with humans, AI can be a tool for learning and training better. A lot of cubers are already working on algorithms, calculations and building formulae. But in the end, it boils down to 
human ability.

Siddesh Janardan Katkar,  speed cuber

AI cannot exceed human potential

If you give someone a puzzle and a solution to it, then it loses its punch. Puzzles present challenges to the mind, and there is an adrenalin rush when you solve it. That is what drives cubers. But if you want to compete, you have to try the latest tools. It does not come on a platter though. You have to use your mind in the end. Today’s children are faster and adapt quicker to new technology. It is inevitable that they will reach out to AI as training tools. You can look at a video or a programme, but ultimately you have to use your brain and learn the moves to solve it. It has to be a mix. Why you make a certain move is just as important as making it. I cannot tell if a human can solve it within a second, but the potential of a human brain is infinite. AI itself was created by a human brain. It cannot exceed human abilities.

Minella Gracious, cuber and founder,Minella’s Superstars

Takes the fun out of it

I started cubing at the age of nine, when I saw a cube in a shop, and became obsessed with it. I learned speed cubing through YouTube videos. AI can be an effective tool. Right now, there are apps on Playstore that give you shortest solutions. There is a number called God’s number in cubing. This is a formula to solve the cube in 20 moves — the shortest time taken. There are over four million ways in which a cube can be solved. It is hardly possible for a human brain to find all the solutions every time. If there is a way to extract the knowledge from a formula through AI, it will help. But it will become boring. If you can solve a puzzle in the most efficient way every time, then you don’t have to rack your brain anymore. I know, it is a contradiction, but I prefer to not have the AI to keep the fun. After all, humans have physical limitations. You cannot solve a cube in half a second by hand. There are limitations to human reactions and co-ordinations.

Daniel D’Souza, speed cuber

Inevitable, but not impressive

Today, when everything is changing to AI, it is inevitable. Of course, human-solving skills are always more appreciated. AI tools will be appreciated by cubers, but it is more of a curiosity. The skill we speak about is for the development of the brain. Already, the speed cube record is down to three seconds. Even if an AI tool is doing it with a margin of one second, it is okay. A computer coming up with an answer within a second is impressive, but not shocking, to be honest. It is still the human skill that is the element of surprise.

Leena Savla, director, Junior Cube Association 

Learn to cube

. Cube Conundrums
AT Gokhale Road, Dadar West. 
CALL 9321690299

. Rubik’s classes
AT Sarvodaya Park, Nandivili Panchanand, Dombivli East.
CALL 8779789420

. Minella’s Superstars
LOG ON TO @minellassuperstars

. Junior Cube Association
AT Patanwala Estate, LBS Marg, Ghatkopar West.
CALL 9326169864

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