Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Setjhaba Competition Category.

BoronseSetjhaba· 2022

Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award Winner in Setjhaba Category

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The Design

About Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe

Mongolo oa Buka: Voice Mask ke moqoqo oa sesebediswa se ka aparoang seo se khutsisang seo mosebedisi a se buoang ka hodimo. Theknoloji ea ho tlosa lerata e sebedisoa ho khutsisa lentswe ka ho ntsha leqhubu la molumo le fapaneng. Voice Mask e tshehetsa liboka tsa inthanete tse tshoaroang libakeng tsa sechaba, joalo ka ofisi e kgolo kapa cafe. Sesebediswa sena se thusa ho thibela phatlalatso ya tlhaiso-leseling e sireletsehileng le ho qoba ho tshwenya batho ba bang ba haufi. Ha e sebedisoa, Voice Mask e apesoa molaleng mme e behoa ho koahela molomo, ka mokgwa o tshwanang le moitsamaisi wa harmonika. 'Mele oa eona o mengoang o entsoe ka ho tjhela plastiki (plastic injection molding) mme o bonolo ho e jara.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award

Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. Voice Mask Sesebediswa se Tloaelehileng sa ho Khutsisa Lentswe e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.

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.