Project: V | Prototype Assembly Line

[nkyadav]

Hello, hello, community!

My name is Niraj, and I’ve been asked to write a new topic with a behind-the-scenes look at the assembly of new V prototypes in its factory. Many of you probably have seen me around (for example my Spectrum prototype thread), so I’m thrilled to take on this new topic. Let’s take a walk down this sneak peek together as we explore the fine details! So, kick back, relax, and stay a while, because I’m excited to show you what the team has accomplished!

Product assembly line

Our project manager Kira visited the factory to capture the following footage of the prototypes. These early units will be extensively tested to help improve future iterations.

At the start, operators inspect various pieces prior to assembly. In clockwise order from top left: inspection line overview; the Windows Hello camera modules (with LED indicator and Infrared sensor); the rear-facing camera modules; the speaker assembly; the heatsinks (with exhaust fan); and the foam gaskets for rear cameras.

The screens for samples in bulk, awaiting assembly - note the blister packaging - those panels are well-protected against any incidental rough handling.

A technician installing mesh in the case vents.

Preparing the stand to attach it to the case.

Attaching the stand’s hinges to the prototype. Note that they are affixed directly to the case.

Motherboard placement in a sample.

Quality control is an important part of the entire process. At every step in the assembly process, tests verifying the quality of both parts and assembly are conducted to ensure that the V meets Eve’s standards.

Attaching the heatsink to motherboard.

The fully assembled motherboard section of the sample.

The operators conducting tests for tablet and keyboard samples. Note the clipboard in the top right - those are planned visual and functionality tests after the assembly process.

Live boot on an assembled device. Note the pieces of tape - if testing demonstrates issues, it’s easy to open and fix.

Windows deployment to a fully assembled machine via USB.

Prototypes in testing. Those are a lot of booting new V prototypes!

[apgray]

Thanks for the update.

With the horrendous news regarding Spectrum delays:

Are they completely separate projects?

Does the Spectrum supplier who “Played it safe” and lied to you have any involvement whatsoever with this project?

Is there anything you need to tell us about any delays with the V?

[kreative]

It’s a different manufacturer and the project should go smoothly compared.

[darraghlong]

But it’s still being project managed by the same team right? The same team who (by their own admission) did not confirm that a critical part was available until days before production was due to start. I really admire your optimism.

[darkguy2]

They obviously have all the parts if they have fully assembled Vs on the line being QA tested as shown in the photos. Once again Eve did not fail to order the parts, they just relied on reports from their supplier that what they ordered was actually being stored in the warehouse. They were led to believe by the supplier that there was no problem and all the panels had been ordered and delivered.

[darraghlong]

@darkguy2

Once again Eve did not fail to order the parts

I never suggested they did. I said that they failed to confirm the parts were available for use.

@darkguy2

They were led to believe by the supplier that there was no problem and all the panels had been ordered and delivered.

I’m not sure that “Eve (who last week boasted they’re on site so much that they’ve become familiar to security) not bothering to check exactly what a supplier was saying about the display panel” is a great reason to trust this organization to deliver future projects in a timely and competent fashion

[apgray]

That’s only a small prototype run isn’t it? That’s not full scale manufacturing.

[darkguy2]

@apgray

That’s only a small prototype run isn’t it? That’s not full scale manufacturing.

Yes you are correct, that was my mistake. I would still say that after finding out about the panels not being ordered they would have gone back and rechecked all their suppliers. They have shown that they will not hide it when something like this happens.

@darraghlong

I’m not sure that “Eve (who last week boasted they’re on site so much that they’ve become familiar to security) not bothering to check exactly what a supplier was saying about the display panel” is a great reason to trust this organization to deliver future projects in a timely and competent fashion

You are making the assumption that the panels were stored at the factory. It is very likely that these were stored offsite at a warehouse. The factory they are using is not exclusively producing Eve’s products. They are making many products for many companies. They do not want to be storing components long term for one project on-site.

I am not saying that Eve is not at fault in this situation, just that most of the blame goes to the supplier who lied to them. They should of had some kind of check to verify delivery of the panels at the warehouse (whether that was on-site counts at delivery or having the packing lists be sent to them). These kind of situations are very difficult for people to understand since they do not really have a parallel in day-to-day life. Supply chains are very complex and sometimes you trust a vendor that what they present to you is reality and not skewed. Let me take a shot at an analogy:

You and your spouse want to buy new cars. You go to the car lot and find two great cars, but want some different features. You ask the car lot to order the two cars from the manufacturer. You let them know that you will need to sell one of your cars after the first arrives before you can take delivery of the second. They say sure and take your order. Some time later you get notified that the order was received from the manufacturer. At this point though you only have space for one car and have to sell your current one before you have space for the second, so they deliver the first car with your plan being to get the second one a few weeks later. They deliver the first car and all is well. A few weeks later you call them to let them know they can deliver the second car now. They then tell you that they never ordered the second one since they did not think you looked like someone who really needed two new cars and they were not going to risk keeping the car on the lot for you. Now your spouse is mad at you because they do not have their new car. They said you should have gone to the lot and checked the car when they first said the order was arrived, but the lot did not lie when they said the order was delivered. They did not specify what was part of the order or say one or two cars were delivered. This is similar to how Eve was deceived.

[darraghlong]

@darkguy2

You are making the assumption that the panels were stored at the factory. It is very likely that these were stored offsite at a warehouse. The factory they are using is not exclusively producing Eve’s products. They are making many products for many companies. They do not want to be storing components long term for one project on-site.

Let’s assume all of this is true. That Eve are just naive, and were undone by unscrupulous partners.

Eve chose that partner.

They chose not to verify that what the partner told them was true.

They encountered similar issues (but with payment processors) when delivering the first Eve V.

So how are you supposed to be confident that an organization that naive, with that little interest in governance or oversight, will suddenly turn around and deliver a project as complex as Eve V2 smoothly?

[darkguy2]

If you truly believe that this is the case and can no longer trust Eve then you have the option to cancel and get your deposit back. At this point Eve has not given any indication of problems with the V2. They have been pretty forthright when it comes to the Spectrum when a problem comes up. I trust them when they say it is still on track and no delays are needed at the moment. That does not mean they will not have a problem pop up next week that will require a delay. Saying that because the Model 2 was delayed due to a supplier lying to them also means the V2 will be delayed is not logical. Problems happen all the time in manufacturing a product. This is why the big brands do not announce products until they are ready for production.

This is not the same as what happened with the original V. Young companies make mistakes and that is how they learn. They learn from them and do better assuming they survive. I would have also probably trusted the supplier if I had a contract with them. I also assume they are an authorized supplier by LG who vetted them. At some point it comes down to trust which was broken in this case with the lesson learned to have more oversight in their supply chain. Eve is also not a giant company that has a dedicated supply chain department to take care of these checks everyday.

[darraghlong]

@darkguy2

At this point Eve has not given any indication of problems with the V2.

Yep. And yesterday Eve had not given any indication that there was an issue with the Spectrum. So we can accurately place a value on Eve’s current stance.

@darkguy2

Saying that because the Model 2 was delayed due to a supplier lying to them also means the V2 will be delayed is not logical

I didn’t say that. Again. You put words in my mouth. Again.

What I will say is this - Eve consistently announce dates, fail to meet those dates, and provide a thin excuse at the 11th hour. Eve consistently place the blame for these failures at the door of their suppliers. If you chose to believe that this is true, then that’s fine. But it’s not indicative of a company that are primed to deliver a complex project on time, which was the original point I made.

@darkguy2

This is not the same as what happened with the original V.

This is true. This project is only one year behind schedule.

[TheDestiny]

@darraghlong

This is true. This project is only one year behind schedule.

The original project didn’t face a pandemy.
The pandemy is a useful excuse, but it is also a real reason for supply struggles.

[apgray]

All this makes me extremely nervous. If there is an issue with the hardware, will Eve fix it expeditiously?

As an early backer (first 250) and buying a top of the line model I would hope so.