Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Mmekọrịta Ọha Competition Category.

BronzMmekọrịta Ọha· 2022

Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Mmekọrịta Ọha Category

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The Design

About Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu

Voice Mask bụ echiche ngwaọrụ eyi nke na-emechi ihe onye ji ya na-ekwu okwu ka a hapụ ịnụ ya. A na-eji teknụzụ na-ekpochapụ mkpọtụ eme ka olu ahụ ghara ịnụ site n'ịzipụ ọsọ ụda mgbagha megide olu ahụ. Voice Mask na-akwado nzukọ nke a na-eme n'ịntanetị mgbe a nọ n'ebe ọha, dịka nnukwu ụlọ ọrụ ma ọ bụ ụlọ oriri na ọṅụṅụ (cafe). Ngwaọrụ a na-enyere aka igbochi mwepụta nke ozi nzuzo ma na-egbochikwa inye ndị ọzọ nọ nso nsogbu. N'iji ya, a na-eyi Voice Mask n'olu ma dozie ya ka o kpuchie ọnụ, n'ụzọ dị ka nke ijiji ndị na-eji njide harmonica. A na-eji plastic wụọ ahụ́ ngwaọrụ a nke enwere ike ipịaji, nke na-eme ka o dị mfe iburu.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Voice Mask Ngwaọrụ Eyi Nke Na-emechi Olu na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

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.