Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Pāpori Competition Category.

ParahiPāpori· 2022

Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Pāpori Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo

Ko te Voice Mask he pūrere mau ariā e whakamā ana i ngā kōrero e whakapuakina ana e te kaiwhakamahi. Ka whakamahia te hangarau aukati haruru hei whakamā i te reo mā te tuku i te ngaru oro whakahē. Ka tautoko a Voice Mask i ngā hui ipurangi e whakahaerehia ana i ngā wāhi tūmatanui, pēnei i tētahi tari nui, i tētahi kāhi rānei. Ka āwhina te pūrere ki te ārai i te whakapuakitanga o ngā mōhiohio matatapu, ā, ka karo hoki i te whakararuraru i ētahi atu tāngata e tata ana. I te whakamahinga, ka mauria a Voice Mask ki te kakī, ā, ka whakanohoia kia taupoki ai i te waha, he rite tonu ki te pūrere pupuri hāmoni. I hangaia te tinana kohinga mā te whakarewa peita kirihou, ā, he māmā noa ki te kawe.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Voice Mask Pūrere Mau Whitiwhiti Whakamā Reo i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

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.