“This is the “Top version” of CUBOTino series, a Rubik’s solver robot project meant to be very small, simple, fully 3D printed, and scalable.
This is clearly not a fast robot, as the targets are simplicity and cost effectiveness.
The “Base version”, characterized by lower costs and lower complexity, is already available at: https://www.instructables.com/CUBOTino-a-Small-Simple-3D-Printed-Inexpensive-Rub/
This instruction relates to the Top version; main characteristics are
The robot is fully autonomous.
PiCamera and Raspberry pi Zero 2 are used for the computer vision part.
Kociemba solver is used, to get an almost optimal solution.
All coded in Python.
Display to feedback on the robot action and solving progress.
Apart the PCB cover, all the other parts are the same of the Base version, plus two new parts to support the camera.
Solving time is tipically 90 seconds; 30 seconds are needed for the cube status detection, and 60 to solve the cube. This timing once the robot is optimized, as per posted movies
By excluding the self solving Rubik’s cubes, and the robots requiring modified cubes for gripping, this is one of the smallest Rubik’s cube robot I’ve seen so far.
The name of this robot is CUBOTino: Apart from the obvious CUbe+roBOT, “ino” is the italian prefix standing for small….. a “small” touch recalling my origins and the very small robot dimensions.
Credits to Mr. Kociemba, for his solver, and the python version he has made available to the comunity.
The material cost has been about 100 Euro for me, yet this time I’ve mostly used rather quick deliveries….
The more expensive parts are:
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WH
- microSD card 16Gb Class10
- Picamera (V1.3)
- Flex cable (PiCamera - Raspberry Pi Zero)
- Two servos ( TD-8325MG, 180deg 25Kg metal, with metal arm “25T” )
- Display (1.77” TFT, SPI)
- ca 500 grams of filament
- 3W led, with integrated driver
- Capcitive touch sensor
- Step-down Voltage regulator
- Micro-usb breakout boards
- Some little electronic components (prototype board, capacitors, connectors, etc), and screws.
For the power supply are needed two phone chargers (al least 1x1A and 1x2A), and related cables with microUSB connector.”