USB-C Hub Compatibility for Simultaneous External Storage + Battery - Need Guidance

ML2 OS version: 1.12.0

Use case: We’re deploying ML2 headsets for extended (6-8 hour) data collection sessions and need to simultaneously connect:

  1. External battery pack to extend battery life

  2. Samsung T7 SSD (4TB) for video storage

Since ML2 has a single USB-C port, we need a hub/splitter solution.

What we’ve tested:

Hardware:

Results:

✓ T7 → ML2 direct connection works perfectly

✓ Battery → UGREEN hub PD port → ML2 (pass-through charging works)

✓ T7 → AreMe splitter data port → ML2 works (but splitter hardware is fragile, breaks frequently)

✗ T7 → UGREEN hub USB-C data port (5Gbps) → ML2 (SSD not recognized, doesn’t light up)

✗ T7 → USB-C to USB-A adapter → UGREEN hub USB-A port → ML2 (SSD not recognized)

Analysis: The hub works fine when tested with a laptop - T7 is recognized through all ports. This appears to be an ML2 USB-C compatibility issue rather than a power problem, since PD pass-through works correctly.

Questions for the community:

  1. Has anyone successfully used a USB-C hub with ML2 to connect external storage + external battery simultaneously?

  2. Are there known limitations with ML2’s USB-C implementation that would prevent certain hub chipsets from working?

  3. Are there specific hub models that are confirmed to work with ML2 for this use case?

  4. Are simple 2-port splitters the only reliable option, or do more robust alternatives exist?

We understand ML2’s USB-C port can supply 5W (5V, 1A) in OTG mode based on previous forum discussions, and we’re providing external power via the PD port, so this shouldn’t be a power limitation.

Any guidance on compatible hardware or known workarounds would be greatly appreciated. We’re looking to scale this setup to 100+ units.