Yeah, it's just a software change to the existing machine. If you generate a target scrambled state it's literally the solver algorithm in reverse too.

It would be neat if it offered to scramble when you insert an already solved cube (demoed in the video), and maybe have options for the amount of randomness.

Is there an unbiased scrambling (or random generation) algorithm, or is it enough to just generate N random moves?

To answer my own question, competitive cubing uses unbiased randomization algorithms.[0] To minimize scrambling time, it could fairly generate a random configuration and then optimally scramble the cube in ~18 moves.[1]

TL;DR fair scrambling is exactly as fast (same throughout) as solving random cubes! Neat.

[0] https://www.cubelelo.com/blogs/cubing/how-to-scramble-a-rubi...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimal_solutions_for_the_Rubi...

You can but it doesn't need to be smart at all. It doesn't need cameras. It's a much simpler machine.

Funny enough, that (e: the shuffle function mentioned in original thread post, just realized my awkward comment placement) sounds like a very reasonable stretch goal/feature add-on, although I'm not sure this particular machine could shuffle quickly enough for speedcuber types.

It needs to be somewhat smart, if you want to track your scrambles and times. But yes, it doesn't need cameras if it trusts you.