Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award in Gizarte Diseinua Competition Category.

BrontzeGizartea· 2022

Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Gizartea Category

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The Design

About Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria

Voice Mask ahoz gorako esaten duena isilarazten duen kontzeptuzko gailu eramangarria da. Zarata ezeztatzeko teknologia erabiltzen da ahotsa maskaratzeko, alderantzizko soinu-uhina igorriz. Voice Mask-ek leku publikoetan, hala nola bulego handi batean edo kafetegi batean, egiten diren lineako bilerak babesten ditu. Gailuak informazio konfidentziala ez agerraraztea laguntzen du, eta inguruko beste pertsonak ez oztopatzea ere bermatzen du. Erabiltzean, Voice Mask lepoaren inguruan janzten da, ahoa estaltzeko kokatuta, harmonika-euskarri baten antzeko moduan. Gorputz tolesgarria plastikozko injekzio-moldaketaz egina dago, eta erraz garraiatzen da.

The Recognition

About the Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award

Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, sormenak, asmamenak eta zorroztasunak bereizten dituzten diseinu bikainei ematen zaien aitorpen oso prestijiotsua. Brontze-mailako irabazleak trebetasunez beteriko eta nabarmenki sortzaileak diren artefaktuak dira, beren diseinatzaileen esperientzia zabala, irudimena eta ekimena egiaztatzen dutenak. Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den objektua izatea espero da, nabarmenki profesionala eta berritzailea dena. Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren praktika onenak biltzen ditu eta xehetasunei ematen dien arretagatik bikaina da. Voice Mask Ahotsa Isilarazteko Gailu Eramangarria beharrak bikain asetzen dituen, desirak ukitzen dituen, sentimenduak xarmatzen dituen eta jakin-mina erakartzen duen lana da.

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.