Cyculus and Apkudo host industry leaders for automation and Circular Economy solutions

Vanta 2025

At Cyculus’ Göppingen facility, Cyculus and Apkudo hosted VANTA 2025: two full days of workshops, networking, and exploring the next wave of automation, AI, and device value transformation. Attendees also got an in-depth look at Apkudo’s robotized grading and processing machines, as well as Cyculus’ new suite of extra services under Total Care, including buffing and polishing (by Renew King), re-glassing (ScreenTech), and battery replacement with either original or high-copy options.

For SecondaryMarket.news, the event proved to be an excellent opportunity to reconnect with long-time industry contacts while also meeting new players in the market. It also offered valuable insights into the latest advances in automated and robotized grading and processing technologies, which are increasingly shaping the future of the secondary mobile industry. In the U.S., nearly 85% of all traded-in devices are already processed using some form of automation, reflecting a high level of maturity in this area. In contrast, Europe still lags significantly behind, with fewer than 15% of devices undergoing automated or robotized handling.

Role Cyculus in the European market

Cyculus is determined to help close this gap. To support the European market, the company has, for several months now, been offering Device Processing as a Service (DPaaS). This solution is targeted at the more than 600 European companies engaged in grading and processing devices after direct trade-in or sourced. Grading and processing is required, before preparing them for sale either to other businesses or directly to consumers. By making advanced automation and robotization more accessible, Cyculus hopes to raise efficiency, improve consistency and accuracy, and ultimately bring Europe closer to U.S. levels of adoption.

Impact of DPaaS

DPaaS leads to consistent quality, much lower return rates that elevates consumer trust. By partnering with Apkudo, Cyculus integrates industrial robotics, AI-powered diagnostics, and machine learning into an accessible pay-per-use subscription model, removing the need for costly upfront investment. The current system can process up to 300 devices per hour with over 95% grading and processing repeatability, compared to for instance just 50% agreement among human graders. Cyculus claims that processing 5,000 units monthly through DPaaS can generate a net annual benefit of over € 466,000 by reducing return rates, enabling premium pricing, and accelerating speed-to-market. Additional their newly launched “TotalCare” services further increase resale value, making automation both even more profitable and sustainable.

The Apkudo Bump

If a device is fully functional, its residual value is primarily determined by cosmetic condition. During a presentation a new word was introduced: the Apkudo bump. In the USA Samsung is using Apkudo to triage all traded-in devices through Samsung. These devices are sold by B-Stock.

Introducing TotalCare

Talking about TotalCare SecondaryMarket.news was highly impressed by Renew Kings’ device polishing service. We have seen this in the past and it was dirty, noisy and extremely dusty. But not with Renew Kings. We could be in the same area where the polishing was done, seeing and discussing screen enhancements at first hand. The result was astonishing. A heavily used Apple Watch was turned in a (screen) cosmetically pristine smart watch.

Also, CypherBlk showed their latest innovation to process, test and grade used smart watches. Not only Apple or Samsung but almost all brands that are currently on the market can be processed. Fast, accurate and fully ADISA certified, if needed. Their secret? CypherBlk has developed a special jig that connects a watch to a computer (not a phone) without using time consuming Bluetooth pairing. Several watches can be processed at the same time, making this an extremely efficient solution. Cyculus will extend the services to not only watches but also AirPods and tablets.

Apkudo: the device intelligence company

Founded in 2011 as a device intelligence company, Apkudo is widely recognized in the secondary market for its massive automated and robotized machines capable of grading and processing up to 300 devices per hour. At VANTA 2025, Apkudo signalled a return to its roots with the implementation of its Digital Product Passport.

Digital Product Passport

The Apkudo Device Passport creates a persistent digital record for every device, fed by the Powered by Apkudo network tracking condition, usage, and ownership throughout its lifecycle. Built on Apkudo’s AI-driven platform, it delivers real-time, verifiable data for carriers, OEMs, and logistics providers, boosting trust in pre-owned devices. Device AI automates grading, optimizes workflows, and reduces costs while ensuring compliance with global circular economy standards.

By bridging transparency, sustainability, and economic value, the solution unlocks smarter decisions and recaptured value across the reverse logistics chain. The Device Passport Platform serves as a single source of truth for the modern device ecosystem: operators gain efficiency and velocity through trusted data, while business leaders secure a strategic advantage, preparing for regulations like the EU’s DPP and positioning themselves to thrive in a profitable circular economy.

Conclusion

After the event, it is probably best to quote Fergal Donovan on summarizing these two days: "At Cyculus, we are redefining device processing through automation, AI, and machine learning. Choosing Cyculus means choosing innovation, velocity, sustainability, and a smarter way forward.”