Skip to content
Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award Perunggu in Sosial Competition Category.


PerungguSosial· 2022

Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

A' Design Award Perunggu Winner in Sosial Category

41,219

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #137061

Colors

The Design

About Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora

Voice Mask mangrupa konsép alat wearable anu mareuman sora nu diucapkeun ku pamaké sacara langsung. Téknologi noise-cancelling dipaké pikeun ngaréredem sora ku cara ngaluarkeun gelombang sora nu sabalikna. Voice Mask ngarojong rapat online anu dilaksanakeun di tempat umum, saperti kantor gedé atawa kafe. Alat ieu mantuan nyegah bocorna inpormasi rahasia sarta nyegah ngaganggu batur di sabudeureunana. Dina pamakéanana, Voice Mask dianggo di sabudeureun beuheung sarta diposisikeun pikeun nutupan sungut, mirip jeung cara nyekel harmonika. Awakna anu bisa dilipet dijieun ku cara plastic injection molding sarta gampang dibawa.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perunggu

Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora mangrupa juara A' Design Award Perunggu, pangakuan anu pohara bergengsi anu dipasihkeun ka desain unggul anu dicirikeun ku kréativitas, kacerdikan jeung kawaspadaan. Para juara Perunggu téh artéfak anu lobaan kaahlian jeung kréatif pisan anu ngabuktikeun pangalaman anu lega, imajinasi jeung kacerdasan para désainerna. Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora diharepkeun jadi objék anu dihargaan, dikagumi jeung dipikanyaah anu profésional jeung inovatif. Desain juara A' Design Award Perunggu ieu ngalebetkeun prakték pangalusna dina seni, élmu, desain jeung téknologi, sarta unggul dina perhatian kana détail. Voice Mask Alat Wearable Peredam Sora minuhan kabutuhan kalayan éndah, nyentuh kahayang, nyenangkeun rasa, jeung narik rasa panasaran.

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.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate