Cet article fait partie de ma série de l’été spécial hackers. Bonne lecture !
Si vous pensiez que chercher des preuves d’extraterrestres sur Google c’était déjà chelou, attendez de voir ce que Gary McKinnon a fait ! Ce mec de 35 ans a tout simplement décidé de s’inviter sur les serveurs de la NASA et du Pentagone pour vérifier par lui-même si les petits hommes verts existaient. Et devinez quoi ? Il a trouvé un fichier Excel intitulé “Non-Terrestrial Officers”… du coup, soit la NASA gère une flotte spatiale secrète, soit quelqu’un a un sens de l’humour cosmique !
You’d think the world had run out of challenges for LEGO builders. After all, we’ve seen ‘functional’ lawnmowers, instant-photo Polaroid cameras that spit out LEGO “photos,” and even a ‘working’ rotary phone, all meticulously engineered, all somehow feeling like they’re right at home in the pantheon of LEGO absurdity. Yet, every so often, a builder comes along who ups the ante and rewrites the rules of what counts as “functional.” This time, that crown goes to a Rubik’s Cube, the kind that actually works. Not a blocky facsimile or a fidget toy with half-hearted spin, but a LEGO-built, fully twistable, color-matching, soul-crushing 3×3 Rubik’s Cube that might just be the most precise and satisfying “MOC” (that’s “My Own Creation” for the LEGO uninitiated) you’ll see this season.
Precision is the name of the game with Rubik’s Cubes. Every speedcuber, every fidgeter worth their salt, knows that the difference between a good cube and a mediocre one is measured in microns. A single click or jam, and your whole solve is toast. So making a functioning cube out of LEGO, with its famously not-quite-millimeter-perfect clutch power and those tiny mold-parting lines, feels like tempting fate. Yet here it is, spinning with the kind of smoothness that would make Erno Rubik himself do a double take. The builder, whose project recently surfaced on the LEGO Ideas platform, didn’t just aim for “works in theory.” They built a full-size, color-accurate cube that moves with the same crispness and tactile feedback you expect from a real puzzle.
Designer: Kragle Dog
The mechanism underneath those glossy 3×3 tiles? A clever lattice of LEGO Technic and system bricks, ingeniously stacked and interlocked to mimic the familiar spindle-and-corner arrangement of the original. It’s a feat that takes patience and an obsessive eye for tolerances, because even a fraction of a millimeter’s error can mean the difference between a cube that spins and a cube that simply locks up.
Size-wise, this thing’s a beast. Scale it against a standard Rubik’s Cube, and you’re looking at a puzzle that’s roughly four times the volume of the pocket original, clocking in at 15.6cm or over 6 inches per side. That extra space isn’t wasted, though. It gives the mechanism inside room to breathe and function, letting each axis rotate independently and with minimal play. The outer tiles are color-matched to classic Rubik’s specs, with red, blue, green, yellow, orange, and white plates snapping into place like a proper 80s icon. The result is a cube that looks like it was plucked directly from the world’s nerdiest toy store and dropped onto your desk, ready for a scramble.
“The Rubik’s Cube truly is an iconic toy, shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of the LEGO brick,” says LEGO builder Kragle Dog. “So, being a fan of both LEGO bricks and Rubik’s Cube, I decided to try a new challenge and combine those two legendary toys into one epic idea.” The resulting build uses a staggering 2,216 bricks (that’s just the cube, not counting the base or the Rubik minifigure).
What really gets me is how this project manages to bridge the gap between playful creativity and mechanical purism. Most LEGO MOCs err on the side of whimsy, sacrificing accuracy for charm. Here, though, the builder’s gone full engineer, wrangling LEGO’s sometimes-fussy tolerances into something that actually works. That’s no small feat. The prototype reportedly holds together under repeated twists and turns, resisting the kind of catastrophic blowouts that plague less robust builds. There’s sheer genius in how each piece interlocks, trading the usual friction-fit for a system that’s both sturdy and forgiving. It’s the kind of object that makes you want to pick it up, scramble it, and maybe even try to speedsolve just to see if it can keep up. And no, you’re not allowed to use a Brick Separator to ‘solve’ the cube, even though that’s technically possible.
The flex doesn’t stop at the cube itself. The builder included a custom 357-brick display stand, elevating the puzzle into the realm of functional sculpture. There’s even a minifigure of Erno Rubik, the Hungarian architect who kicked off the global cubing craze back in 1974, complete with his signature hair and a tiny cube of his own. It’s a wink at the history and the culture surrounding the puzzle, and a reminder that behind every great invention is a designer obsessed with the details. The stand’s got just enough visual heft to make it a centerpiece on any shelf, while the figure adds a layer of narrative that most LEGO MOCs skip over in favor of pure form.
If you do want to see this project come to life, it just requires you to vote for it on the LEGO Ideas forum – a platform created for LEGO enthusiasts to share unique creations and vote for their favorite builds. We’ve covered hundreds of MOCs at this point, and I for one continue to be surprised by the kind of ingenuity LEGO builders possess, even after covering this beat for over 10 years!
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Attention les nostalgiques ! Si vous avez grandi dans les années 90 avec un PC sous Windows 95 et que vous étiez fan de LEGO, y’a de fortes chances que vous ayez passé des heures sur LEGO Island. Ce jeu culte de 1997 où on incarnait Pepper Roni, le livreur de pizzas le plus cool de l’île, vient de recevoir une seconde jeunesse grâce au projet isle-portable.
Pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas, LEGO Island c’était LE jeu en monde ouvert avant l’heure. On pouvait se balader librement sur une île peuplée de personnages loufoques qui se démontaient dans tous les sens pour nous faire marrer. Entre les courses de jet-ski, les missions de dépannage et la fameuse poursuite en hélicoptère où on balançait des pizzas sur le méchant Brickster (oui, des pizzas, le truc qui l’avait aidé à s’échapper), c’était du grand n’importe quoi mais qu’est-ce qu’on adorait ça !
The clacking of marbles against plastic, the agonizing wait as your ball teeters on the edge of a trap, the trash talk between friends gathered around a tabletop game. Remember that? The “Tricky Traps” LEGO Ideas project bottled that exact feeling, transporting us back to the days when entertainment didn’t require a charging cable. Created by LEGO enthusiasts BRICKUP and JodyPad, this 600-piece recreation of the classic 80s Tomy game has already captured over 1,000 supporters on the LEGO Ideas platform. Nostalgia sells, but this project goes beyond mere sentimentality. The creators have meticulously designed each piece to function exactly like the original, resulting in a LEGO set you’ll actually play with long after building it.
I’ve always had a soft spot for LEGO sets that do something after you’ve snapped the last brick into place. The company has quietly built an impressive portfolio of interactive builds over the years. The playable chess sets let you stage epic battles between minifigures. The LEGO Mario sets transform your living room floor into a real-world platformer with electronic sensors and sound effects. Even the Ideas Maze set from 2016 brought genuine gameplay to the LEGO experience, with a tilting labyrinth that challenged your steady hand. “Tricky Traps” continues this tradition, blending the satisfaction of construction with the thrill of competition.
Designers: BRICKUP & JodyPad
The original Tricky Traps captured 80s kids’ hearts with its devilish obstacle course for marbles. Players navigated through moving platforms, sudden drops, and precarious pathways, all while racing against opponents and the clock. This LEGO recreation maintains that essence while adding the unmistakable texture of brick-built design. Each of the approximately 600 pieces serves a purpose, creating a 1:1 scale model that doubles as a fully functional game. The designers incorporated Technic elements to recreate the motorized aspects of the original, ensuring that this isn’t just a static display piece. The attention to mechanical detail shows a deep understanding of both LEGO engineering and what made the original game so addictive.
LEGO shines brightest when it pushes beyond static models. The grand piano that actually plays, the Nintendo Entertainment System with its scrolling TV screen, the functioning typewriter with its satisfying key action. “Tricky Traps” belongs in this category of builds that reward you twice: first during construction, then every time you play with it. For a generation raised on instant digital gratification, there’s something revolutionary about a toy that demands patience, skill, and physical presence. If this set makes it through the LEGO review process, expect to see adults hogging it at family gatherings, reliving their youth one marble at a time, while introducing a new generation to the analog joys of mechanical gaming.
The project still has 589 days to gather the 5,000 supporters needed to reach the next review milestone, but its early momentum suggests a hunger for tactile, interactive play experiences. With enough support, it could potentially become a retail box set that all of us can assemble and play with. If you want to see that happen, i.e., if you love tactile games over doomscrolling displays, go ahead and give the Tricky Traps your vote on the LEGO Ideas website here!
The post LEGO’s ‘Tricky Traps’ Promises a Hands-On Experience That Will Captivate All Ages first appeared on Yanko Design.
LEGO creations have long blurred the line between toy and art, with builders recreating everything from classic cars to full-scale architectural icons. For Richard Paules, it was a childhood passion that turned into an extraordinary pursuit of miniature realism. After winning attention for his detailed LEGO model of Dulles International Airport, Paules has now unveiled his most ambitious build yet: a stunning replica of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, constructed from approximately 150,000 LEGO bricks.
The massive model is set to go on display in the ticketing area of Terminal 2 next week, just before the TSA checkpoint. Weighing nearly 120 pounds, the replica showcases the airport’s unique architecture, from the domed ceilings and expansive skylights to the multi-level arrivals and departures layout. It even includes a realistic baggage claim area, gate seating, jet bridges, and signature airfield markings. Every detail, down to the exact floor patterning, has been meticulously replicated with plastic bricks.
Designer: Richard Paules
Paules spent nine months designing and assembling the model, calling it the most challenging project he had ever undertaken. Compared to his previous Dulles build, this one pushed his skills further due to Reagan National’s complex structural features and curved rooflines. As a solo builder, Paules had to manage both the creative vision and the physical logistics, including how to transport such a large and fragile piece safely to the airport. The project, now complete, reflects not only his technical skill but his deep fascination with aviation and public spaces.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority worked closely with Paules throughout the process, helping coordinate installation and display logistics. Airport staff were reportedly stunned by the model’s accuracy, with one operations manager noting how the LEGO version captured the character of the terminal almost perfectly. The model is currently hidden behind a curtain on the ticketing level between doors three and four, and will be unveiled to the public next Monday.
This installation continues a growing trend of using public art and interactive displays in transit hubs to enhance the traveler experience. Instead of rushing past generic hallways, passengers at Reagan National will now encounter an unexpected moment of creativity—one that offers both nostalgia and inspiration. The display also serves as a conversation piece for both aviation buffs and casual travelers, giving them a chance to appreciate the complexity of the airport in miniature.
Following the success of his Dulles model, Paules has again demonstrated how LEGO can transform familiar infrastructure into works of art. His Reagan National build is not just a tribute to architecture or transportation, it’s a celebration of patience, precision, and play. For many who pass through Terminal 2, this impressive creation will likely become an unexpected highlight of their journey. For LEGO enthusiasts, well… it’ll be another build to take inspiration from and come up with something equally stunning.
The post LEGO Artist builds stunning 150,000-piece replica of reagan national airport first appeared on Yanko Design.
Google vient de sortir Gemini CLI, un outil qui va vous permettre de transformer votre terminal en assistant IA surpuissant grâce à toute la puissance de Gemini. Plus besoin d’ouvrir 36 onglets dans votre navigateur ou de jongler entre différentes interfaces. Tout se passe dans votre terminal préféré, comme au bon vieux temps où on faisait tout en mode texte (ah, la nostalgie du DOS…).
Ce qui est vraiment sympa avec cet outil, c’est qu’il peut analyser des bases de code entières avec un contexte allant jusqu’à 1 million de tokens !! Et attention, c’est pas juste un chatbot de plus qui fait semblant de comprendre votre code, non, un peu comme Claude Code, c’est un truc qui peut vraiment explorer votre architecture, implémenter des features à partir d’issues GitHub, et même générer des applications complètes à partir d’un simple PDF ou d’un croquis.
Remember when you’d spend hours tapping your phone screen, deploying sunflowers and peashooters to hold back the endless tide of the undead? Plants vs Zombies was a 2009-10 cultural phenomenon that turned lawn defense into an obsession for hundreds of millions of players. That quirky tower defense title with its adorable plants and dopey zombies somehow managed to hook everyone from hardcore gamers to grandparents who’d never touched a game before. Now, a decade after we all collectively worried about zombies eating our brains, LEGO Ideas has unveiled a pitch-perfect brick recreation that captures the essence of PopCap’s masterpiece in 1100 meticulously arranged pieces.
First off, translating a digital game to physical LEGO form is tricky business, but this set absolutely nails it. The designer has recreated that iconic suburban battlefield with the precision of someone who clearly spent way too many hours (like the rest of us) strategically placing cherry bombs and potato mines. The layout is instantly recognizable: a neatly gridded front lawn, the modest little house with its characteristic roof, and of course, the stars of the show – those plucky plants and brain-hungry zombies, all rendered in brick form that somehow preserves their cartoonish charm while working within LEGO’s geometric constraints.
Designer: KrafftPunk
The front lawn unfolds in a neat grid of various green plates, lightly studded to anchor eight distinct brick-built plant figures. Closest to the house, a row of potato mines – each built from black clips and red round tiles – bleeds into neatly clipped hedges of sunflowers. Their smiling yellow heads perch on layered leaf elements. Next come two rows of shooters: bright green Peashooters flank two icy-blue Snow Pea models, each barrel perched on a stacked-tile stalk. A chomper with a bulbous purple head and hinged jaw snaps open among them. Two walnut figures, carved from angled bricks into squat, worried eyes, guard the final lane beside a white picket fence.
The plant lineup is a greatest hits collection that would make any PvZ veteran smile. The Peashooter’s signature green head has been captured with surprising nuance using just a handful of pieces. The Sunflower beams with that same dopey optimism that made it the backbone of every successful defense strategy. Wall-nut’s worried expression somehow translates perfectly to LEGO form, complete with those anxious eyebrows that always made you feel a little guilty about putting him in harm’s way. The Snow Pea, Cherry Bomb, and Potato Mine round out the plant defenders, each one immediately recognizable despite their miniature size and blocky construction.
On the zombie side, the roster’s a little limited, but it’s still enough to really seal the deal. The minifigures are tweaked to go from your happy yellow beings to olive-green zombies with their signature expressions, gangly teeth, and ripped clothes – all created through mere decals. One of the zombies even holds the brains flag, officially representing the offensive side of the game.
The lawn grid is (to a degree) functionally playable. Plants and zombies can be positioned and moved across the battlefield, essentially turning the set into a physical version of the game. You could absolutely use this as a tabletop strategy game, moving zombies forward one space per turn while the plants defend their territory. The modular design allows for endless reconfigurations, letting you recreate your favorite defensive layouts or experiment with new strategies that would never work in the actual game. I’m already imagining house rules for a competitive two-player version where one person controls plants and the other zombies.
This set represents LEGO at its finest – taking something beloved from pop culture and transforming it into an interactive brick experience that works on multiple levels. For the casual fan, it’s a nostalgic nod to a game that ate up countless hours of their life. For serious LEGO collectors, it’s a display piece filled with clever building techniques and character designs. And for those who want to actually play with their LEGO (imagine that!), it’s a physical board game that captures the strategic essence of its digital inspiration. But first, the set needs to make it through the LEGO Ideas voting cycle… although with over 4,700 votes, it’s well on its way to hitting the 10k mark that will then send it to LEGO’s internal team to review whether it fits well into LEGO’s box-set collection. If you want to see that happen, go ahead and cast a vote for the Plants vs. Zombies build on the LEGO Ideas website here!
The post Iconic Plants vs Zombies game gets revived with this Playable 1,100-brick LEGO set first appeared on Yanko Design.
200 millions de dollars pour apprendre à ChatGPT à jouer à Call of Duty en vrai. Non, c’est pas une blague, OpenAI vient de signer avec le Pentagone et franchement, j’ai comme un petit goût amer en bouche.
Alors voilà les faits bruts, parce que c’est toujours mieux de partir de là. Le 16 juin 2025, le Pentagone a officialisé un contrat d’un an avec OpenAI pour 200 millions de dollars. L’objectif ? Développer des “capacités IA de pointe” pour répondre aux défis de sécurité nationale, et ça couvre autant les applications administratives que les trucs de combat pur et dur. On parle de cyberdéfense proactive, d’optimisation des soins de santé pour les militaires, d’analyse de données d’acquisition… Bref, du sérieux.
I didn’t know how much I needed Kim Possible back until I scrolled on the internet to stumble across this build staring back at me in glorious LEGO form – cargo pants, sassy side-eye, Rufus casually perched on her shoulder. For anyone who raced home from school to catch Kim flipping through air ducts and dodging laser beams, seeing her back (albeit in LEGO) feels somewhat cathartic – like the world really needs her to fight all the supervillains destabilizing the earth right now.
Crafted meticulously from 1,165 LEGO bricks, this build by teljesnegyzet captures every bit of Kim’s swagger in a statue standing 21 inches tall. That fiery orange hair, constructed from carefully layered wedge plates, is practically a sculpture on its own. You can almost see it waving dramatically after a perfectly executed backflip. The attention to detail is peak LEGO nerd territory, down to the perfectly recreated cargo pants using sand green tiles layered sideways. Pure genius.
Designer: teljesnegyzet
Rufus, the tiny naked mole-rat sidekick, hasn’t been overlooked either. He’s neatly built from just about 40 bricks, perched on Kim’s shoulder, looking a bit skeptical, just as he should. Cleverly, his position is adjustable with a hidden Technic pin, giving collectors that extra bit of fun when deciding exactly how judgmental Rufus should look today.
What’s impressive here is how the build stays authentic without relying on printed details. Kim’s iconic black crop top and even the eyebrow arch are entirely brick-built, letting simple shapes and smart brick choices do all the work. It’s classic LEGO magic, turning basic geometry into instantly recognizable characters. No shortcuts, no stickers, just genuine creativity.
With just over 130 days to reach the 5,000 supporter milestone on LEGO Ideas (currently around 1,831 supporters and counting), this feels doable. The comments section is buzzing with fans rediscovering Kim, others impressed by the design itself, even those who had to Google “who’s Kim Possible” first. This blend of spot-on nostalgia and clever building technique is exactly the kind of project that LEGO Ideas thrives on.
Whether this hits the shelves officially or stays a stunning fan-made concept, it’s proof of how strongly early 2000s Disney Channel nostalgia resonates. And to be honest, with the current state of global affairs, I really could do with some positive affirmation… even if it stands at 21 inches tall and reminds me of a time when life was so much better. If you share the same belief, you can head down to the LEGO Ideas website to cast your vote for this fan-made build.
The post Remember Kim Possible? This Epic 1,165-brick LEGO Statue Is The Ultimate Throwback first appeared on Yanko Design.
Vous savez ce qui est formidable avec l’intelligence artificielle ? C’est qu’elle va peut-être réussir à faire quelque chose que même les pires virus ou nos députés n’ont jamais réussir à accomplir depuis toutes ces années : Tuer Internet de l’intérieur.
Et oui, alors que Google AI Overviews et Perplexity prétendent nous faciliter la vie en résumant absolument tout, ils viennent de signer (encore une fois) l’arrêt de mort de milliers de sites web qui nourrissaient justement leur IA sans contrepartie.
Vous pensiez que votre imprimante 3D était le summum de la technologie ? Et bien Dr. Engine vient de vous prouver le contraire avec sa factory LEGO qui transforme de la pâte à modeler en produits manufacturés. Et franchement, c’est pas mal foutu du tout !
Cette machine automatisée combine laminoir motorisé, convoyeur à bande et guillotine de précision pour traiter de la modeling clay (comprenez de la pâte à modeler style Play-Doh) avec un sérieux qui ferait pâlir d’envie certaines chaînes de production industrielles.
Je me suis encore tapé une bonne petite insomnie cette nuit, donc je me suis levé pour bosser et je suis tombé tout à fait par hasard sur ce PDF qui présente la “Théorie de la stupidité” de Dietrich Bonhoeffer, complété par une analyse de Carlo Cipolla sur “les lois fondamentales de la stupidité humaine”.
Je ne connaissais pas ces 2 gars ni leurs écrits, mais franchement, tous les jours ou presque je vois l’ampleur de la catastrophe et ça fait grimper ma pression artérielle. Et comme je ne comprends pas bien ce phénomène et que je ne sais pas trop comment m’y prendre pour y faire face, ça a évidemment attiré mon attention et je voulais partager ça avec vous.
Mechanical keyboard fans know the thrill of discovering truly unique designs, and the Qwertykeys QK Alice Duo is grabbing attention for all the right reasons. This split ergonomic kit is a breath of fresh air for anyone looking to boost comfort and show off a little personality at their desk. Whether you’re a keyboard modder or a die-hard desk setup enthusiast, this one’s bound to spark your curiosity.
The QK Alice Duo doesn’t just look different; it feels different too. Thanks to its split Alice layout and clever design features, you get complete control over your typing posture. Each half of the board can be independently tilted using a custom dual hinge, letting you dial in either a flat 0° tenting angle for high-paced gaming or a gentle 5° tent for long typing sessions that keep your wrists happy.
Designer: Qwertykeys
Wireless performance is another highlight. The included wireless pod isn’t just a practical receiver but a desk accessory with style as well. It provides robust signal processing, keeping your connection strong while displaying battery status, connection mode, and OS compatibility at a glance. The pod also doubles as a stylish accent, making your workspace look even sharper.
Qwertykeys has packed in thoughtful features to make setup and use a breeze. The magnetic charging cable helps keep damage at bay, so you don’t have to worry about rough connections. Despite a compact 3600mAh battery, you can rely on the Alice Duo for about three weeks of wireless use per charge—plenty for everyday work and play.
Customization is at the heart of this kit. It’s available in ten stunning colorways, each with contrasting accents to make your build stand out. The hollowed-back design keeps things lightweight, and a stainless steel weight clicks magnetically into place for that satisfying heft. Adjustable wrist rests are available and match both flat and tented setups, crafted from CNC-machined acrylic and aluminum for an extra dash of quality.
The QK Alice Duo kit comes without switches and keycaps, putting the final touches in your hands. You can mix and match your favorite components for a typing feel and look that’s all your own. Add-on knobs, extra buttons, and badges mean no two Alice Duo setups will ever be quite the same. At $289, it’s a tempting option for serious customizers, though picking your own switches and keycaps means the total cost can climb. For keyboard lovers who want both performance and artistry, the Alice Duo is ready to impress.
The post QK Alice Duo Split Ergonomic Keyboard Kit Offers Custom Comfort and Style first appeared on Yanko Design.
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