A Loughborough College student is celebrating success after designing a robot which can solve a Rubik’s cube.
After months working on technology to effectively manipulate the cube, Josh Haywood has created a robot which can complete the cult puzzle inside two minutes.
When 18 year old Josh, who studies I.T. at Loughborough College, was set a robotics course assignment he decided to make things a bit more interesting and take up a challenge set by Rachael Folds.
“I asked Josh if he would like to have a go at building a Rubik’s cube-solving robot, like the one at Bletchley Park - and I offered the incentive of a KFC bargain bucket in it for him if he managed to succeed,” said Computing, Games and Media Production lead Rachael.
“I knew it would be hard. It was a daunting prospect and I had no idea if I’d be able to do it -but I enjoy challenges and wanted to give it a go,” explained Josh.
“There was a lot of complex work using algorithms and degree-level maths involved in programming the robot, trying to get it to spin, flip over and manipulate the cube and to scan its different sides in the way I wanted it to.
“Along the way there were all kinds of issues, for example with getting it to detect colour, and at times I felt so frustrated, wondering if it was achievable for me.
“But then one day, about three months in, I was messing around with the robot in our lesson and suddenly it worked.
“The sense of relief and happiness was unbelievable. It was a great moment.
“I’ve absolutely loved every minute of my course at Loughborough College, all the teachers are so interested and interesting, they really motivate you to explore and they support you to do as well as you possibly can.
“I’m hoping I will finish with a triple Distinction Star this year and I plan to specialize in bio computing and AI at university.
“But for now I’ll carry on tinkering with my robot to make it even better – while eating my KFC of course!”
Pictured: Loughborough College student Josh Haywood with his Rubik’s cube-solving robot | Watch Josh and his robot in action