Watch RuBot II solve Rubik's cube.
This is a great example of the excellent strength-to-weight ratio of
pneumatic actuators. The motion is fairly fluid. Of course, were not
getting to see the air pump, storage container, and the computing power
behind the scene. It looks like the air valves are mounted to the
shoulders and the drivers for the valves are in the chest.
The human-shaped frame is built from common
The robot holds the cube up to his eyes and then he rotates it. It appears that he's doing color recognition of each face and then it robotically solves the puzzle (no need to look anymore). So step 1, pick up the cube, step 2 get the status of the cube faces, step 3 figure a plan of action, step 4 rotate the cube back to normal, step 5 set it down and say thanks.
Real humans don't usually do that kind of processing. Real humans usually can only plan a few moves ahead. So it's like step 1, pick up the cube, step 2: rotate once, step 3 re-scan the faces and repeat ad-infinitum, at some point step 4 set down the cube and say wow that was too hard to do, I need a how to solve it book.
So, we use a book to help us solve it. At some point we may grab a computer and look up how to solve on the internet. Then maybe at some point we may get a co-processor implanted in our brains to help us figure out how to solve rubik's cube.
At some point, our bodies will be more machine than man (Darth Vader?). At some point, who needs flesh and blood? If we're clevar, we'll program those Asimov laws now! Naw, we're not that smart! Robots decide our fate in a milisecond. Humans die and robots inherit the earth! The end. Pzzzt! Rubik should be punished for making that hateful toy. It's like you have to be a robot to solve it! ;-)
The biggest problem with Rubik's Cubes is that everyone tries to either give you advice or take the cube away from you.
As for the robot itself, there have been Rubix solving algorithms for a while, but the mechanics and styling are impressive in and of themselves.