Bronze Social Design · 2022
Voice Mask Device That Mutes Your Voice
by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory
- A' Design Award 2022 Bronze Winner in Social Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 41,012
- Verification code 88C5552A8F · Verify this award
About Voice Mask Device That Mutes Your Voice
Voice Mask is a concept wearable device that mutes what the user says aloud. Noise-cancelling technology is used to mask the voice by emitting the opposite sound wave. Voice Mask supports online meetings held in public places, such as a large office or a cafe. The device helps prevent the disclosure of confidential information and avoids disturbing other people nearby. In use, Voice Mask is worn around the neck and positioned to cover the mouth, in a manner similar to a harmonica holder. The foldable body is made by plastic injection molding and is easy to carry.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Voice Mask is a concept wearable device that mutes whatever you say aloud while wearing it. It utilises noise-cancelling technology to mask the user's voice by emitting the opposite sound wave. Voice Mask can be used when participating in online meetings in a public space to avoid bothering others and to protect confidential information. When in use, the Voice Mask is worn around the neck and positioned to cover the user's mouth. As it is foldable, it is also easy to carry around.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- W150mm x D50mm x H99mm (folded)
W150mm x D98mm x H205mm (unfolded) - Tags
- Wearable Device, Product Design, Social Design, Invention, Mask, Covid-19, Home Office, Privacy, Headset, Microphone
- Production Technology
- Plastic Injection Molding
- Design Challenge
- Another design challenge was figuring out the best solution for securing a heavy device around the mouth. We researched similar devices that already exist in the world, such as headphones and mouse shields to finally decide on a necklace-like design inspired by harmonica holders used while playing the guitar.
- Project Duration
- The idea was created in 2015. It was filed for a patent in Japan in 2016 and it was and successfully registered in 2018. The design of the product started in May 2021 and was completed in February 2022.
- Research
- In the process of applying for a patent for an idea, the inventors conducted interviews with acoustic experts (PhD students in audio technology) to verify the technical certainty. Their feedback was that although technically challenging, it was possible to cancel sounds that are diffusing into open space. This encouraged the inventors to go forward with filing for a patent. In the process of considering the design, the team created product renders and wearable prototypes using a 3D printer and conducted user interviews. A total number of 4 interviews with potential users were conducted. Research revealed that the Voice Mask will likely be used in various locations that are busy with people, such as a large office or a café. This meant that it was essential for the product to be portable so that it can be carried around easily. It also meant that the people were highly conscious of how the device looked wearing it. With consideration for portability and fashion, the product design was revised from a headphone-like shape to one like a harmonica holder.
- Inspiration
- In 2015, the team conducted research on the future of work in 2025. A future scenario was envisioned in which work from anywhere has become the norm. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the change. People can now work from the comfort of their home or their favourite cafe. However, this created a new problem: meetings at home or a cafe can disturb others and lead to unwanted information disclosure. The research insights led to Voice Mask patent registration and the subsequent concept design.
- Image Credits
- all Image Creator(Rendering Image) Kunihiko Sato, 2022.
- Patents
- VOICE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AND VOICE SUPPRESSION DEVICE. JP2018066780A. INNOVATION LAB INC. 2018. Japan Patent Office.