REVIVE
Collaboratively repurposing e-waste
“More than 20 million tons of e-waste are produced every year” (ifixit.org). Our leading recycling facilities are focused on extracting valuable materials (such as gold or silver) using industrial methods while destroying other reusable resources or working components in the process. Intended for future electronic waste repair and recycling facilities, Revive is a collaborative robotic system that works alongside human companions to improve efficiency,
create safer working conditions, understand human judgement and extract reusable material unlike before.
This project was completed in collaboration between ABB Robotics (Sweden) and Umea Institute of Design (Sweden) over a 10 week period. Research and synthesis was undertaken between 10 designers, before Franzi Heuck and I teamed up to further investigate, ideate, and prototype Revive.
Structure
Parts fit together to create
an ‘assembled’ feeling
Form Factor
Soft shapes are contrasted against sharp cutouts to create a sense of kindness, agility and performance
Presence
Small and compact size is approachable
Drill Bits
Interchangeable drill bits are automatically switched to suit job
Vacuum Pad
For lifting, stabilising and sorting components
Camera
Revive detects and analyses components while recognising position of worker
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1. Recognition
Access data surrounding ewaste product value, common faults and assembly.
2. Communication
Tasks are shared and decisions made by placing components in each others workspaces.
3. Information
Connect components to potential reuse cases and determine disassembly.
“Between 20% and 30% of the material content of a phone is lost when the phone is shredded and melted down for recycling”.
ifixit.org
Current Recycling + Repair Facilities
Assessment & repair rely on human judgement
Large variety of products dismantled
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