Ruarcc, a 13-year-old student, showcases his Lego robot that solves a Rubik's Cube, saying, "People are amazed my robot can solve Rubik's Cube." BBC
A 13-year-old student from St Malachy’s College in North Belfast has built a Lego robot capable of solving a Rubik’s Cube. Ruarcc began working on this project when he was just 12 after his school introduced a new digital technology hub last year.
Initially, teacher Clare McGrath was skeptical about the project’s success but was impressed when Ruarcc’s robot demonstrated its abilities. Ruarcc described the process as challenging but ultimately rewarding. “People are amazed that it can solve a Rubik’s Cube,” he said. “Now that it’s working, it’s really rewarding, and it feels great.”
Ruarcc’s robot operates with 5,000 lines of Python code and uses colour sensors to solve the puzzle from any scrambled state. Inspired by his success, Ruarcc aims to pursue a career in IT, potentially as a software engineer.
Ruarcc, a Year 10 student, has created a robot that can solve a Rubik’s Cube. BBC
The creation of the robot was made possible by the school’s new Key Stage Three curriculum, which includes programming Lego robots using block-based coding. Clare McGrath, the senior leader for creative skills at the college, praised Ruarcc’s innovation. “Once the basics were taught, students had the freedom to explore different programming methods online,” she said. “Ruarcc impressed me with his ability to build a robot that solves a Rubik’s Cube. Creativity is crucial, and our aim is to nurture future innovators.”
The digital technology hub was proposed by school principal Paul McBride, who envisioned renovating an old lecture theatre to create the space. Supported by the Belfast Charitable Society and the James Kane Foundation, the hub is now used by students and staff from various schools in North Belfast to enhance their digital skills. McBride anticipates that by the end of the third year, the hub will serve 6,000 students and over 100 staff members.
