World record broken after a decade as robot solves puzzle cube at lightning speed

Two brothers from the U.K. just shattered a robotics record that stood for more than a decade, building a machine that can solve a 4×4 puzzle cube in a mere 45.3 seconds.

Matthew and Thomas Pidden combined their skills to create this speed-solving marvel, with Matthew developing the algorithms that analyze the cube's pattern while Thomas designed the mechanical components using 3D printing technology.

"I decided to break the record as part of my undergraduate final project. I have always enjoyed Rubik's Cubes as a child and computer science. Combining the two felt like a natural progression and a great project," said Matthew.

The robot uses four precisely positioned mechanical arms that rotate different layers of the cube in carefully calculated sequences. What began as a student project at the University of Bristol evolved into a Guinness World Record achievement after several failed attempts and continuous refinements.

The breakthrough demonstrates how persistence and technical creativity can push the boundaries of what machines can accomplish, potentially inspiring a new generation of engineers to explore robotics.