Apkudo Hive Receiving Station

May 11

Transformational Automation Driving Throughput to Curb E-Waste

Ever wonder what happens to your cell phone or tablet when your send it in for repair or upgrade? Our client Apkudo is a pioneer the battle against e-waste making curbing environmental impact very good business for its clients.

By offering companies a streamlined, automated solution for triaging, cleaning, testing, and grading connected devices at scale, they're improving a traditionally labor-intensive process and, dramatically increasing throughput and in the process, bettering the environment.

As a leader in sustainability, Apkudo’s end to end connected device platform, Hive, optimizes the lifecycle of connected devices, from manufacturing until the moment we replace them with a new one, saving them from hitting landfills.

At the front end of their system is the Hive Receiving Station seen here. Harbor Designs and Manufacturing designed, manufactures and has installed hundreds of these these connected and ergonomic workstations that assess and update the phones or tablets and determine their path though the facility.

A Smart Workstation to Maximize Throughput Designed With the Technician in Mind

The Hive system is a central control solution that ensures connected devices go through their lifecycle smoothly and achieve the best results. It saves time and effort by replacing manual work with an automated, lucrative, and more accurate process.

Apkudo has a robotics division where Harbor Designs and Manufacturing supports with bring up of new units and installation.

These stations serve as semi-automated workstations, guiding operators through assessments, software upgrades, and device status documentation as they move along conveyors to the next step in Apkudo's process.

With the operators’ comfort in mind, the stations are thoughtfully ergonomic with a wrap around work surface that matches the technicians range of natural motion.

To mitigate any risk of repetitive stress injury caused by reaching above the technicians head and to accommodate a wide range of technician heights, the stations include concealed pneumatic lifts, with features to preventing pinch points as the entire stations are raised and lowered.

Core fictional features include an array of phone and tablet slots, overhead cameras, speakers and printers, station status indicators, and a large touchscreen monitors that displays the devices status and steps the technician through their work flow.

The Hive receiving station embodies a minimalist approach to functionality.

Designed with open, curved cubbies, the station maximizes accessibility while minimizing wasted space. Its sleek, high-gloss white walls promote a bright and visually expansive work environment.

The subtle edges and layout ensure a seamless user experience, preventing potential delays or disruptions during the receiving process. The overall design evokes a sense of modern elegance and fosters a clutter-free workspace with efficiency and comfort in mind.

The stations are also engineered to maximize uptime, with built-in capabilities for onsite warehouse technicians to address any known issues or potential breakdowns independently.

*Rendering of the Apkudo Hive Receiving Station.*

With these automated workstations, over 100 operators can work on dozens of phones simultaneously, maximizing profit and time for organizations.

“Apkudo connects all stakeholders and allows them to automate their business processes, achieving optimal outcomes for the devices that move through the supply chain.”

Connected Device Circular Supply Chain

With the increasing number of products and companies entering the market, the supply chains for connected devices are becoming more complex.

The Hive Reviving Stations offer a precise and cost-effective solution for businesses to maximize the value they get from devices without compromising performance and efficiency.