Mitsubishi Electric TOKUFASTbot: World’s Fastest Puzzle Cube-Solving Robot

\TOKUFASTbot made history by solving a puzzle cube in an astounding 0.305 seconds, a feat that earned it recognition from Guinness World Records as the fastest robot ever to solve a cube. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record of 0.38 seconds, setting a new benchmark in robotics and automation.

TOKUFASTbot’s success is built on a foundation of cutting-edge industrial automation (FA) hardware, control technology, and image analysis systems. The robot uses AI-based image recognition, commonly applied in manufacturing, to assess product quality and identify cube colors in real-time. This allows it to recognize the cube’s configuration almost instantly. For example, many systems have difficulties differentiating the orange and red colors of the cube.

One innovation contributing to this speed is winding technology, originally developed by NEC for motor manufacturing. This ensures the cube’s faces are rotated with high-speed, high-precision positioning. Mitsubishi Electric’s servo motors, sequencers, industrial PCs, and camera systems are all connected via ultra-fast communication links, working in perfect synchronization to achieve record-breaking time.

This technological feat is more than just a display of robotic prowess; it has significant implications for industrial applications. The precision, speed, and coordination required to manipulate a cube at this velocity are crucial attributes in high-tech manufacturing environments. By showcasing this technology, TOKUFASTbot demonstrates the potential for significant productivity gains in industries where speed and accuracy are critical.

We even talked to one of the engineers, Natsuki Miura, Manufacturing Facilities Technology Sect. Motor & Generator Manufacturing Engineering Dept. who worked on the electric motors coils and physical connection to the Rubik’s cube.

Visitors at CEATEC 2024 could witness TOKUFASTbot in action, solving puzzle cubes with unprecedented speed, offering a glimpse into the future of industrial robotics and automation. We can tell you that the build-up to the performance kept our attention high before the challenge was solved in the blink of an eye.