Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Igishushanyo Gukorera Abaturage Competition Category.

BuronzeIgishushanyo Gukorera Abaturage· 2022

Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Igishushanyo Gukorera Abaturage Category

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Colors

The Design

About Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi

Voice Mask ni igikoresho cyifashishwa mu ibitekerezo cyo kwambara gihagarika amajwi umukoresha avuga mu ijwi rirenga. Ikoranabuhanga rihagarika urusaku rikoreshwa mu guhisha ijwi binyuze mu gusohora imiraba y'amajwi inyuranyije. Voice Mask ishyigikira inama zikorerwa kuri interineti zibera ahantu hahurira abantu benshi, nk'ibiro binini cyangwa kafe. Iki gikoresho gifasha kwirinda gusohoka kw'amakuru y'ibanga no kwirinda guhungabanya abandi bantu bari hafi. Mu gukoresha, Voice Mask yambarwa mu ijosi kandi igashyirwa ku buryo itwikira umunwa, mu buryo bisa n'uko umuntu yambara igikoresho gifata harmonika. Umubiri wayo ushobora kuzingwa ukorwa mu buryo bwo gushonga plastiki no kuyishushanya (plastic injection molding), kandi yoroshye gutwara.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. Voice Mask Igikoresho cyo Kwambara Gihagarika Ijwi ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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.