Two British brothers develop Rubik's Cube robot — reportedly solves 4×4 cube in 45.3 seconds to set Guinness World Record

Quick facts

It has been reported that two British brothers have built a robot that solved a 4×4 Rubik’s Cube in 45.3 seconds, a time the team says sets a new Guinness World Record. The story was carried in Chinese tech media ifeng (凤凰网), which cited earlier coverage by BleepingComputer; details about the builders’ identities and the machine’s full specifications were not exhaustively documented in those reports. Fast and flashy? Yes. Verifiable down to the millisecond? Not yet in all outlets.

The machine

Reportedly the robot combines a mechanical manipulator with a vision system and a solving algorithm to scan, compute and execute the moves needed to complete the 4×4 puzzle. A 4×4 cube is materially harder for both humans and machines than the classic 3×3 because it removes the fixed-center reference and increases permutation complexity. Building a reliable hardware pipeline — from precise motor control to fast image recognition — is therefore the engineering challenge here.

Why it matters

Why should readers care? Beyond the spectacle, this is an example of hobbyist robotics hitting high-performance marks previously reserved for commercial labs and competitive speedsolvers. It underscores how accessible components, open-source algorithms and maker know-how can combine to push records. For Western readers unfamiliar with China’s media, note that Chinese outlets often amplify international tech achievements; this coverage highlights global interest in grassroots robotics rather than any state-led program.

Source and context

The account originated with BleepingComputer and was republished by ifeng (凤凰网); it has been reported that Guinness World Records is the body recognizing the attempt, though independent verification by multiple outlets is still limited. As always with rapidly circulated engineering feats, additional confirmation — video evidence, published code, or a Guinness adjudication notice — will solidify the claim.