Rubik’s cube gets a futuristic makeover
Startup unveils sleek new Bluetooth-enabled design of the classic toy that lets you battle other players online
One of the world's oldest and most popular toys is getting a face-lift. Israel-based startup Particula has unveiled its spin on the Rubik's cube, dubbed the GoCube, that can connect to your phone and enables users to play against other people.
It marks a major step up from when the original Rubik's cube, developed by Hungarian sculptor Erno Rubik, was first released in 1974. Since then, over 350 million Rubik's cubes have been sold worldwide.
The GoCube syncs up with smartphones and tablets using a Bluetooth connection, giving users access to the Battle feature, which lets them 'play friends (or enemies) across the world, according to Particula.
Users can choose from different modes in Battle, including Versus Mode, Leaderboards, Live Competitions and more. There's also mini-games and missions to solve cubes - some of which require you to use the cube as a controller. All the games are available in the GoCube app, which can be downloaded on iOS or Android devices.
If users just want to hone their skills, Particula has created stepby-step interactive guides that help people learn how to become a pro. Particula noted that the GoCube app breaks down algorithms into mini-steps 'that are easy to follow.'
The cube's sensors can tell users how well they solved it, as well as make suggestions about better moves or build challenges to help them solve it faster. 'When you have this kind of Fitbit for cubers, with all kinds of data and information and analysis, we can provide you the exact weak points,' Udi Dor, CEO of Particula, told Fast Company. 'It's a new way of teaching and practicing.'
The GoCube is packed with multiple sensors that allow the app to track every twist the user makes. An onboard Inertial Measurement Unit can also detect the cube's orientation. The cube's LED lights glow when the user solves it.
'In addition to all the other cool features, GoCube is also what's known as a "Speed Cube,"' Particula said.
'What that means is that instead of the usual clunky slow cubes that get stuck a lot, GoCube has implemented mechanisms that enable it to be fast and smooth.' So far, Particula has received $800,000 in funding for the toy on Kickstarter - well above its initial goal of $25,000.
The firm also has a more advanced GoCube Edge, which includes even more tracking features - down to the thousandth of a second. The GoCube is also priced at a prime to the original.
It's expected to retail for $119, or $69 if pre-ordered, while the original Rubik's cube only costs about $10.
Particula plans to ship the first GoCubes by March 2019.