The Product Evolution feature will introduce you to the broader picture of products, whether it's showing how a design came to be, how a brand has changed, or ideas on how society shaped the space around us.
The M/Connect USB 3.0 docking station from Humanscale compounds technology and ergonomics. It provides easy access to several ports (charging, USB, Ethernet, and headphones among them), while concealing the connections and reducing clutter. The dock and arm combo offers plug-and-play productivity and improves comfort and health in the active workplace.
At only 4.65 pounds, M/Connect’s aluminum and steel constructions can support up to 40 pounds of monitor equipment. It attaches to the workstation with either a clamp or grommet hole, both of which are detachable. Three color options (white, black, and gray) complement its sleek, modern look comprised of highly recyclable components. Here’s a closer look at its development.
Robert Volek
Robert Volek has a diverse background ranging from mechanic studies to desktop publishing and industrial design. After several years of
running his own graphic design practice, he began industrial design studies in New York and received his degree in London. In his professional career he has worked with industry-leading companies to develop products that focus on user experience and ergonomics.
RESEARCH
“We researched the devices people use and how they use them,” explained Volek, adding that the product evolved from ideation to launch in roughly a year and a half. The Humanscale team identified which ports to provide and how to package them. This process was informed by their “active vs. passive” approach. Active devices are the ones you use daily or hourly, and are usually mobile—laptop, tablet, and phone—while passive devices remain static, like the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
TESTING
“We thought to combine the arms with the docking, because people use their workstations, but they go away,” Volek said. The ports for passive devices are hidden away under the work surface in the vertical component of M/Connect. Active devices are accommodated on part of the dock above the workstation, allowing for plug-and-play usage.
LAUNCH
Well aware of the several docking solutions on the market, Volek and Humanscale evaluated how best to address the need. “Some products are exclusive to a brand or specific model, and others are more generic but they’re free-standing and create visual clutter,” said Volek. “And the people who manage this infrastructure are IT, and they get annoyed by impractical solutions.” So Humanscale was keen to consider functionality during development.
APPLICATION
As a manufacturer that focuses on enhancing performance and ergonomics, Humanscale's main goal with M/Conenct was to support workers in an active, adaptive workplace. “The traditional office has been changing,” Volek said, adding that it’s gone from one-person/one-desk to a “hot-desking” environment. “People are coming and going, plugging in who-knows-how-many devices into a preset workstation, and expecting everything to work seamlessly. That’s the requirement.”