Voice Mask Chipangizo Chovala Chobisa Mawu by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Mphoto ya Bronze ya A' Design Award in Mapangidwe a Zachikhalidwe Competition Category.
BronzeZachikhalidwe· 2022
Voice Mask Chipangizo Chovala Chobisa Mawu
by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory
Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.
Mphoto ya Bronze ya A' Design Award Winner in Zachikhalidwe Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #137061The Design
About Voice Mask Chipangizo Chovala Chobisa Mawu
Voice Mask ndi chipangizo chamalingaliro chovala chomwe chimabisa zomwe wogwiritsa ntchito akunena mokweza. Ukadaulo wochotsa phokoso umagwiritsidwa ntchito kubisa mawu poyika mafunde a phokoso otsutsana ndi mawu ake. Voice Mask imathandizira misonkhano ya pa intaneti yochitikira m'malo apagulu, monga ofesi yaikulu kapena kafe. Chipangizocho chimathandiza kuletsa kutulutsidwa kwa mfundo zachinsinsi komanso kupewa kusokoneza anthu ena omwe ali pafupi. Pogwiritsa ntchito, Voice Mask imavalidwa mozungulira khosi ndikuikidwa kuti iphimbe pakamwa, mofanana ndi mmene chosungira chida cha harmonica chimakhalira. Thupi lake logona limapangidwa ndi njira ya plastic injection molding ndipo ndi losavuta kunyamula.
The Recognition
About the Mphoto ya Bronze ya A' Design Award
Voice Mask Chipangizo Chovala Chobisa Mawu ndi mmodzi mwa opambana a Mphoto ya Bronze ya A' Design Award, kuzindikirika kolemekezeka kwambiri komwe kumaperekedwa kwa mapangidwe abwino kwambiri omwe amaonekera ndi luso lolenga, kuchenjera ndi nzeru zakuthwa. Opambana a Bronze ndi zinthu zaluso kwambiri ndi zolenga modabwitsa zomwe zimatsimikizira zochitika zazikulu, kulingalira ndi kuchenjera kwa opanga awo. Voice Mask Chipangizo Chovala Chobisa Mawu akuyembekezeka kukhala chinthu choyamikiridwa, chosirira ndi chokondedwa, chaukatswiri wapadera ndi chatsopano. Mapangidwe opambana Mphoto ya Bronze ya A' Design Award awa amaphatikiza machitidwe abwino kwambiri a luso, sayansi, kapangidwe ndi ukadaulo ndipo ndi abwino kwambiri chifukwa cha kusamala kwawo zazing'ono. Voice Mask Chipangizo Chovala Chobisa Mawu amakwaniritsa zosowa mokongola, kukhudza zilakolako, kukopa mitima ndi kudzutsa chidwi.
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.
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