OpenAI teaches robot to solve Rubik’s cube with one hand

Research institute OpenAI has taught its humanoid robotic hand Dactyl to solve Rubik’s cube. The robot hand does not do this in record time, but it does so with remarkable dexterity.

The robotic hand of OpenAI actually consists of old hardware, according to the organization, such hardware has been on the market for fifteen years. However, the controls are completely new. The organization has trained algorithms in simulations with which the robot hand can then learn to solve Rubik’s cube itself.

OpenAI has been working on the project since May 2017. After a few months, the simulations were ready, but execution proved more difficult. In 2018, the researchers managed to get the robotic hand to hold and rotate a block, but only now does the machine have the dexterity to solve Rubik’s cube.

The researchers note that solving Rubik’s cube with one hand is very challenging, even for humans. It takes children years to acquire the necessary dexterity for this. The robot hand does not always succeed in solving the puzzle. It goes well on 60 percent of attempts, although that drops to 20 percent at maximum difficulty.

Even if the robot hand is hindered, the algorithm manages to withstand. For example, OpenAI tied two fingers together, fitted the hand with a rubber glove, put a cloth over it, and disrupted the process by pushing a plush giraffe against it.

OpenAI explains the process in a video and has published a paper. The organization has also put an unedited video online showing how the robot hand solves Rubik’s cube in four minutes.