Belfast student invents robot to solve Rubik’s Cube

A 13-year-old schoolboy has invented a Lego robot that can solve a Rubik’s cube.

Ruarcc, from St Malachy’s College in north Belfast, first took steps to create puzzle-solving robot prototypes in his second year at school, aged 12.

This was made possible after the school launched its creative digital technology hub (CDTH) last year.

Teacher Clare McGrath commented she “didn’t believe” that Ruarcc’s robot would work at first.

Ruarcc told BBC News NI it was “frustrating”, but he worked on making it better.

“People tend to be amazed that it can solve one,” he said.

“Now that it’s working, it’s really rewarding, and it feels great.”

Ruarcc said he has already set his sights on a future career in the IT industry, possibly as a software engineer.

His creation uses 5,000 layers of Python coding and is able to crack the code from any pre-set variation, using colour sensors to solve the puzzle.

Following the launch of the creative digital technology hub, the college started a new Key Stage Three curriculum.

This included programming Lego robots, such as Ruarcc’s, using block-based coding.

Clare McGrath is the senior leader for creative skills at the college.

“A few of the boys were given the chance to take kits home with them; I said, build what you want… impress me,” she said.

“He showed me it working; there’s 5,000 lines of Python code; no matter what way you mix it up, the robot will solve it, and it’s very impressive.

“Creativity is an amazing skill, so we need to be providing opportunities in school to see where they can take things – that builds the innovators of the future.”

It was the school principal, Paul McBride, who pitched the idea of the new hub.

He wanted to renovate an old lecture theatre and the idea gained support from the Belfast Charitable Society and the James Kane Foundation.

The new hub has been made available to pupils and staff from schools across north Belfast to develop their digital skills.

Mr McBride said: “We have 10 or 11 post-primary schools from north Belfast coming here, and we want them all to use it.

“By the end of our third year, we’ll have 6,000 students and over 100 staff using the facilities.

“It’s a real leveller.”