A Self Solving Rubiks Cube is a cube that can be programmed to solve itself. This can be done using an Arduino microcontroller. we built a robot to solve Rubik’s cubes, and it averages about 1.5 seconds per cube! The Rubik’s Cube is a 3x3x3 puzzle that has been around since the 1970s. It is one of the most popular puzzles of all time, with over 43 quintillions (4.3×10) possible permutations. The Arduino is a microcontroller that can be programmed to do nearly anything. In this project, we will use it to control the movement of the Rubik’s Cube so that it can solve itself.

So here’s a project I’ve been working on for a period…

This robot can solve a Rubik’s cube using Arduino Mega.

I learned how to solve a Rubiks cube a few months, and I was also into Arduino, so finally, I ended up with an idea to make my own Rubik’s cube solver.

Materials for Self Solving Rubiks Cube Bot

Electronics:

1. – Arduino Mega
2. – CNC Shield v3
3. – Small Breadboard
4. – Access to a 3D Printer
5. – Six 17HS4401 Motors (NEMA 17)
6. – Six DRV8825 Motor Drivers with heatsinks
7. – A bunch of jumper wires, screws, and washers

Hardware:

1. 3D Printer

Software:

• Arduino IDE – (Algorithms in C++)

The first thing you will need to do is to get an Arduino board and all other components. You can buy one online or at a local electronics store.

An Arduino is a small, single-board computer that can be programmed to do various tasks. We will program the Arduino to solve a Rubik’s Cube in this case.

Step 1: Assemble the CNC Shield

Step 4: Set the power limit on each driver

Step 5: Circuit diagram

Wiring up the Stepper motor to the Arduino is pretty straightforward

// Define stepper motor connections and steps per revolution: #define STEP_PIN_F 2 #define DIR_PIN_F 5 #define DELAY 800 int turn = 50; void setup() { pinMode(STEP_PIN_F, OUTPUT); pinMode(DIR_PIN_F, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_F, HIGH); for(int x = 0; x < turn; x++) { digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_F, HIGH); delayMicroseconds(DELAY); digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_F, LOW); delayMicroseconds(DELAY); } void loop(){ }

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// Define stepper motor connections and steps per revolution: #define STEP_PIN_F 2 #define DIR_PIN_F 5 #define DELAY 800 int turn = 50; void setup() {   pinMode(STEP_PIN_F, OUTPUT);   pinMode(DIR_PIN_F, OUTPUT);   digitalWrite(DIR_PIN_F, HIGH);   for(int x = 0; x < turn; x++)   {     digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_F, HIGH);     delayMicroseconds(DELAY);     digitalWrite(STEP_PIN_F, LOW);     delayMicroseconds(DELAY);   } void loop(){ }

Step 6: Self Solving Rubiks Cube Mechanism

You should now be able to interface all six drivers independently of each other.

The next step is to choose a solving algorithm. The rest will be left mainly to the reader since there are hundreds of ways to implement a solving program.

One way is to use Kociemba’s Cube Explorer on a PC, then have a function to translate the solution from <R, L, U, D, F, B> form to moves on the motor and send them over serial. You could also use a command-line solver like solve. Both solutions are good.

Wrap-up

If all goes well, you should have a functioning cube-solving robot now. Congrats!

Here is a working video