Mats Valk used a custom Rubik's Cube tricked out with neodymium magnets to set a new world record for speed cubing: 4.74 seconds.
He set the record in the second round of the Jawa Timur Open in Indonesia on November the 6th. Valk notes it was "part of a 6.89 average." The description of the custom cube sounds as impressive as any race car:
Forty-eight neodymium magnets are inserted into strategic points in the cube, arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern. This magnetization creates a tactile and compliant feel with a clean, clicky feedback regardless of piece orientation. The attraction between the pieces gives the cube a one-of-a-kind feeling and pronounced overshooting and lockup reduction. The magnets add approximately 8 grams of weight to the cube. Each magnet is handplaced by Chris Tran and then meticulously set up to optimal conditions by our Pro Shop. We can sticker this puzzle according to your instructions which can be specified on a special page during the checkout process (the page will appear only if you have custom cubes in your cart). If no instructions are provided, we will sticker it with a full-bright set. We will let you know if we have any questions about your instructions. Since Cubicle Labs puzzles are meticulously produced on demand, please be advised that Rush Processing cannot be reliably used to speed up orders containing Cubicle Labs puzzles.
• Rubik's Cube world record 4.74 seconds – Mats Valk (YouTube / Mats Valk)