I certainly can’t. But this guy can. Sure, there’s not much of an career in in-motion puzzle solving, but still, this is impressive stuff. More »
We are very big fans of Rubik’s Magic Cube, even while none most of us have not solved it yet. Not even trying this one, really. Until today. Why I didn’t think about this before, I don’t know, but that felt oh-so-good. [Rubik in Gizmodo—thanks Carlitos]
If this were just a simple clock shaped like a Rubiks Cube it would be cool. Throw in the ability to twist the top row to switch between time, temperature, alarm and date modes and it becomes awesome. Plus, it is priced at an affordable US$24.98 and you never have to endure the shame of being unable to solve it. [What on Earth via GeekAlerts]
Here at Giz, we pretty much depend on the fact that robots will one day rise up against us and squash us like an irritating insect. Hell, all those Science Fiction movies and novels can’t be wrong.
But until that day comes, we have to put up with creepy looking robots that give us artificial smiles and do inane things like give us directions, dance or solve a Rubik’s Cube in 35 seconds.
The RuBot 2 from inventor Pete Redmond is designed with the specific task of solving a Rubik’s Cube. It uses two hi-res cameras to scan all six sides of a cube, then uses some artificial intelligence software to work out how to solve the puzzle. Then, its pneumatic arms flick the cube from side to side, making rapid-fire adjustments to the cube until the problem is solved.
The whole process takes 35 seconds, which is well off the human record of 9.55 seconds. To us, it doesn’t look like this robot will be taking part in the demise of humankind, when people have its number so convincingly. Keep practising RuBot 2…
Well, maybe not “easy” steps—after all, it took designer Zachary Paisley 80 days, some serious manual labor, $1586 in total build costs, and a whole lot of math to put together the world’s first Rubik’s Cube-shaped 15-inch Direct-Servo Subwoofer. I think you will agree that the results were worth the effort. Naturally, when something this cool comes along, we pick the brain of those responsible. You can check out a full interview with Zachary after the break, along with a gallery of the build, and a link to his instructions on how to make one of these for yourself. More »
This mini Rubik’s cube from Japan is one of those little phone straps that you attach to your mobile. As well as giving you hours of fun, it will scratch the back of your cell, annoy you when you talk, and give people an insight into your beliefs and how your brain works.
Slowly. The Eighties aren’t just a decade, they’re a state of mind. Mullet just sounds so derogatory, don’t you think? Nope, Sudoku’s too much for me. Wham! Bam! I Am! A Man! A man who is tired of stonewashed denim is tired of life.
Product Page [Rakuten via Tokyo Mango] More »
At the same place we spotted the Rubik’s not-so-magic table, we also found this awesomely sexy version of the Cube. I want one, and you can buy it online for as little as US$5.95. Sweet.
Product Page [via Babygadget] More »
As far as geek side tables go, surely this is a winner. But at US$600, it’s probably better to take it as inspiration for a bit of home handy work. Particularly because this would really rock if you turned one side into a set of drawers, or gave it a secret internal compartment, or something other than it just being a solid block table.
I think it’s time I start my own line of geek furniture. -Seamus Byrne
Product Page [Babesta via BabyGadget] More »
Going the complete opposite direction from the Idiot’s Cube, this irregular cube is a Rubik’s cube that you need to solve with both colour and shape. Called the Irregular IQ Cube, this strange geometric shape is supposed to end up like a standard Rubik’s Cube when solved, but looks like a kid’s science project when not. For only $US8.50, you too can have a cube that rolls off your table every day to remind you that you should have studied harder in school.
See it in action after the jump.
Rubik’s Cubes too hard to solve? Try out this Idiot’s Cube, and you’ll never feel inferior to Will Smith again. Plus, it’s a pretty inexpensive way to tell someone they’re too stupid to figure out a real puzzle. Just in time for Mother’s Day! – Jason Chen
Product Page [Cool Things]
