The smallest functional Rubik's Cube globally has been uncovered.
Every side of the mini aluminum cube, measuring approximately 0.2 inches, was offered for pre-order on the manufacturer's website on a Thursday, with shipments planned for the following April.
As per Kiyokazu Saito, president of Iriso Precision, the company responsible for precise cutting, "The 0.2-inch Rubik's Cube represents the harmony of machinery, tools, and players' fervor."
Weighing mere 0.01 ounces, this reduced size version is nearly 1,000 times smaller than the original, with a diameter around 2.2 inches per face. Each of the nine squares on its six faces measures only 0.06 inches.
MegaHouse revealed to CNN that the process of conceptualizing and producing this micro-cube began 4 years ago, and was initiated in 2022.
Guinness World Records acknowledged the micro-cube as the world's smallest rotating puzzle cube in August.
It surpassed the record set by British puzzle designer Tony Fisher in 2016, with his 5.6-milimeter version.
However, its high price suggests it's more likely to be a collector's item than a portable puzzle for avid solvers.
At 777,777 yen ($5,320), each comes with a plaque certifying it as the "World's smallest Rubik's Cube."
Launched in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the rotating puzzle, it has garnered a following among both amateur enthusiasts and professional mathematicians. Over 500 million cubes have been sold since its creation by Hungarian inventor Ernő Rubik in 1974.
Annual tournaments are held worldwide, where competitors strive for the title of fastest puzzle solver, down to fractions of a second.
The current record holder for a standard 3x3x3 cube is a 22-year-old Korean American named Max Park, who solved it in 3.13 seconds at a contest in Long Beach, California last year. Following closely was 10-year-old Chinese competitor Wang Yiheng, who achieved his best time of 3.38 seconds at a competition in China in August, as per the World Cube Association.
The standard 3x3x3 category, one of the most contested in the Rubik's Cube community, is currently dominated by these two nations. The US's Luke Garrett and Aaron Huynh took third and fourth place, respectively, and China's Du Yusheng placed fifth.
This miniature Rubik's Cube showcases a unique style and design, reflecting the company's dedication to innovation. The precision in cutting the tiny cubes is a testament to Iriso Precision's design expertise.
