Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Gwobr Efydd A' Design Award in Cymdeithasol Competition Category.

EfyddCymdeithasol· 2022

Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

Gwobr Efydd A' Design Award Winner in Cymdeithasol Category

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The Design

About Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais

Mae Masg Llais yn ddyfais wisgadwy gysyniadol sy'n tewi'r hyn y mae'r defnyddiwr yn ei ddweud yn uchel. Defnyddir technoleg diddymu sŵn i fygu'r llais trwy allyrru'r don sain gyferbyniol. Mae Masg Llais yn cefnogi cyfarfodydd ar-lein a gynhelir mewn mannau cyhoeddus, megis swyddfa fawr neu gaffi. Mae'r ddyfais yn helpu atal datgelu gwybodaeth gyfrinachol ac yn osgoi tarfu ar bobl eraill gerllaw. Wrth ei defnyddio, gwisgir Masg Llais o amgylch y gwddf a'i osod i orchuddio'r geg, mewn modd tebyg i ddaliwr organ geg. Gwneir y corff plygadwy trwy fowldio chwistrellu plastig ac mae'n hawdd ei gario.

The Recognition

About the Gwobr Efydd A' Design Award

Mae Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais yn enillydd Gwobr Efydd A' Design Award, cydnabyddiaeth hynod fawreddog a roddir i ddyluniadau rhagorol sydd yn nodedig am greadigrwydd, dyfeisgarwch a chraffter. Mae enillwyr Efydd yn arteffactau medrus iawn a thrawiadol o greadigol sydd yn dilysu profiad helaeth, dychymyg a dyfeisgarwch eu dylunwyr. Disgwylir i Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais fod yn wrthrych uchel ei fri, a edmygir ac a anwylir, sydd yn nodedig o broffesiynol ac arloesol. Mae'r dyluniad buddugol hwn o Wobr Efydd A' Design Award yn ymgorffori arferion gorau mewn celf, gwyddoniaeth, dylunio a thechnoleg, ac yn rhagorol am ei sylw i fanylion. Mae Voice Mask Dyfais Wisgadwy Tewi Llais yn bodloni anghenion yn odidog, yn cyffwrdd â dyheadau, yn swyno teimladau ac yn apelio at chwilfrydedd.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
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.
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.
Patents: VOICE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AND VOICE SUPPRESSION DEVICE. JP2018066780A. INNOVATION LAB INC. 2018. Japan Patent Office.
Team Members: Designer: Kunihiko Sato Inventor & Researcher : Yukinobu Yokota, Hayato Shin
Image Credits: all Image Creator(Rendering Image) Kunihiko Sato, 2022.