Lego Mindstorms Ev3 Rubik 39;s Cube Solver Program Download
How to Build and Program a Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube Solver
Have you ever wondered how to solve a Rubik's Cube? Have you ever wanted to build your own robot that can do it for you? If you have a Lego Mindstorms EV3 set, you can make your own Rubik's Cube solver using some simple software and instructions. In this article, I will show you how to build and program a Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver using the MindCub3r software developed by David Gilday. You will learn what Lego Mindstorms EV3 is, what a Rubik's Cube solver is, why you should build and program one, what you need to get started, how to follow the building and programming instructions, and what benefits and challenges you can expect from this project.
lego mindstorms ev3 rubik 39;s cube solver program download
Introduction
What is Lego Mindstorms EV3?
Lego Mindstorms EV3 is a robotics kit that allows you to create and program your own robots using Lego bricks, motors, sensors, and a programmable brick called the EV3 brick. You can use the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software or other programming languages such as Python or C++ to write your own programs for your robots. You can also use the Lego Mindstorms app on your smartphone or tablet to control your robots wirelessly. Lego Mindstorms EV3 is suitable for beginners and experts alike, as it offers endless possibilities for creativity and learning.
What is a Rubik's Cube Solver?
A Rubik's Cube solver is a device that can solve the well-known Rubik's Cube puzzle automatically. A Rubik's Cube is a 3D puzzle that consists of 26 smaller cubes arranged in a 3x3x3 grid. Each face of the cube has one of six colors: white, yellow, red, green, blue, or orange. The goal of the puzzle is to rotate the smaller cubes until each face of the cube has only one color. A Rubik's Cube solver uses sensors to scan the colors of the cube, an algorithm to find the optimal solution, and motors to manipulate the cube until it is solved.
Why Build and Program a Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube Solver?
Building and programming a Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver is a fun and rewarding project that can help you develop your skills in robotics, programming, engineering, and problem-solving. You will learn how to use different sensors, motors, and blocks to create a complex and functional robot. You will also learn how to use an efficient algorithm to solve a challenging puzzle. You will be able to impress your friends and family with your robot's ability to solve the Rubik's Cube in seconds. You will also be able to customize your robot and experiment with different settings and features.
Requirements
Lego Mindstorms EV3 Home or Education Set
To build and program a Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver, you will need either the Lego Mindstorms EV3 Home set (item 31313) or the Lego Mindstorms EV3 Education Core and Expansion sets (items 45544 and 455 60). You can buy these sets online or from your local Lego store. You will also need a computer with the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software installed, or a smartphone or tablet with the Lego Mindstorms app downloaded. You will also need four AA batteries for your EV3 brick.
MindCub3r Software and Instructions
To program your Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver, you will need the MindCub3r software developed by David Gilday. This software includes the executable program that runs on your EV3 brick, as well as the project file that contains the source code and the building instructions. You can download the MindCub3r software for free from . You will also find detailed instructions on how to install and use the software on the same website.
A Standard 3x3 Rubik's Cube
Of course, you will also need a standard 3x3 Rubik's Cube to test your robot. You can use any brand or model of Rubik's Cube, as long as it has the standard size and colors. The MindCub3r software is designed to work with Rubik's Cubes that have white, yellow, red, green, blue, and orange faces. If your cube has different colors, you will need to modify the color sensor RGB block in the MindCub3r program to match your cube's colors.
Building Instructions
Download and Install the Color Sensor RGB Block
The first step to build your Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver is to download and install the color sensor RGB block. This is a custom block that allows you to read the RGB values of the colors detected by the EV3 color sensor. You will need this block to scan the colors of your Rubik's Cube accurately. To download and install the color sensor RGB block, follow these steps:
Go to and download the file called "ColorSensorRGB.ev3b".
Open the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software on your computer and go to "Tools" > "Block Import" > "Import".
Select the file "ColorSensorRGB.ev3b" and click "Open".
You should see a message saying "Block imported successfully". Click "OK".
You should now see the color sensor RGB block in your programming palette under "My Blocks".
Download and Install the MindCub3r Project File and Executable Program
The next step is to download and install the MindCub3r project file and executable program. The project file contains the source code and the building instructions for your robot. The executable program is a ready-made program that you can run on your EV3 brick without any modifications. To download and install the MindCub3r project file and executable program, follow these steps:
Go to and download the file called "MindCub3r-v2p2.ev3".
Open the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software on your computer and go to "File" > "Open Project".
Select the file "MindCub3r-v2p2.ev3" and click "Open".
You should see a project called "MindCub3r" in your project browser. Click on it to open it.
You should see two programs in your project: "MindCub3r-v2p2" and "MindCub3r-v2p2-compiled". The first one is the source code that you can edit if you want. The second one is the executable program that you can run on your EV3 brick without any changes.
To install the executable program on your EV3 brick, connect your EV3 brick to your computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth.
Go to "Tools" > "Brick" > "Download Project" > "Download Selected Files".
Select the file "MindCub3r-v2p2-compiled" and click "Download".
You should see a message saying "Download complete". Click "OK".
You should now see the program "MindCub3r-v2p2-compiled" on your EV3 brick's screen.
Follow the Building Instructions for Your Set
The final step to build your Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver is to follow the building instructions for your set. The building instructions are included in the MindCub3r project file that you downloaded earlier. You can access them by clicking on the "Building Instructions" tab in the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software. You will see two versions of the building instructions: one for the Home set and one for the Education set. Choose the one that matches your set and follow the steps carefully. You will need to use some parts from both the Core and Expansion sets if you have the Education set. You will also need to attach the color sensor to the EV3 brick using a USB cable. The building instructions will show you how to do this.
Programming Instructions
Connect Your EV3 Brick to Your Computer
Before you can run the MindCub3r program on your EV3 brick, you need to connect your EV3 brick to your computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth. If you have already done this when you downloaded the executable program, you can skip this step. Otherwise, follow these steps:
Turn on your EV3 brick and make sure it has enough battery power.
Connect your EV3 brick to your computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth. If you use Bluetooth, you will need to pair your devices first.
Open the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software on your computer and go to "Tools" > "Brick" > "Connect".
You should see a message saying "Connected". Click "OK".
You should now see your EV3 brick's name and status in the bottom right corner of the software.
Run the MindCub3r Program on Your EV3 Brick
Now that you have built and programmed your Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver, you are ready to run the MindCub3r program on your EV3 brick and see it in action. To run the MindCub3r program on your EV3 brick, follow these steps:
Make sure your EV3 brick is connected to your computer and turned on.
Select the program "MindCub3r-v2p2-compiled" on your EV3 brick's screen using the buttons.
Press the center button to start the program.
You should hear a beep and see a message saying "MindCub3r ready".
Place your Rubik's Cube on a flat surface with the white face up and the green face facing you.
Pick up your robot and place it over the cube so that the color sensor is aligned with the center of the cube.
Press the center button again to start scanning the cube.
You should see a message saying "Scanning cube" and hear some sounds as the robot scans each face of the cube.
When the scanning is done, you should see a message saying "Solving cube" and hear some sounds as the robot calculates the solution.
When the solution is found, you should see a message saying "Executing solution" and hear some sounds as the robot manipulates the cube until it is solved.
When the cube is solved, you should hear a beep and see a message saying "Cube solved".
Congratulations! You have successfully built and programmed a Lego Mindstorms EV3 Rubik's Cube solver!
Adjust the Scan Speed and Scan Position If Needed
Sometimes, you may need to adjust the scan speed and scan p