Is this the Rubik’s Cube of Generation Z?

January 29th is National Puzzle Day, the annual event that celebrates the toys that test our ingenuity and the brilliant minds that invented them.  One of the most famous puzzles of the 20th century that is still highly popular is the Rubik’s Cube. This colorful 3D combination puzzle has inspired dozens if not hundreds of variations.  “Speedcubing” competitions are held each year across the world, from small local events to Rubik’s Cube World Cups, and the current record held for fastest solve of the original 3x3 cube is just 3.47 seconds!

Although the Rubik’s Cube and its variations are still in demand, inventors are looking for the next puzzle toy that will take the world by storm. The latest trend of reinventing what is available by combining the latest technology with the nostalgia for simpler times may have brought Ilya Osipov and Semyon Orlov to create today’s featured invention, U.S. Application 2019/0358549.

This handheld electronic device combines the transformative nature of 3D puzzles with videogames. Each of the peripheral pieces of the puzzle have standalone displays, connected by magnets that exchange power and information with each other. These displays are rotated in relation to each other, surrounding a central element just like in a standard Rubik’s cube. When the elements are rotated, the displays connect and interact with their new respective adjacent displays. The result is a puzzle cube with virtual gameplay that is controlled by physically twisting and turning.

The 80’s nostalgia is strong in the application’s filed drawings. How will “Speedcubing” competitions look like when they start combining fastest solving times with highest Mrs. Pacman scores? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we will keep an eye out for the next most popular puzzle in history.

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