Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备 by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备 by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award 铜奖 in 社会设计 Competition Category.

铜社会· 2022

Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

A' Design Award 铜奖 Winner in 社会 Category

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The Design

About Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备

Voice Mask 是一款概念性可穿戴设备，能够消除使用者说话时发出的声音。该设备运用主动降噪技术，通过发射反相声波来遮蔽人声。Voice Mask 适用于在大型办公室、咖啡厅等公共场所进行的线上会议，既有助于防止机密信息外泄，也避免打扰周围的其他人。使用时，Voice Mask 佩戴于颈部，并调整至遮住口部的位置，方式类似于口琴支架。可折叠的机身采用塑料注塑成型工艺制成，便于随身携带。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 铜奖

Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备是 A' Design Award 铜奖得主，这是授予以创造力、独创性和敏锐见长的杰出设计的极具声望的认可。铜奖得主是技艺娴熟、创意惊人的作品，印证了其设计师丰富的经验、想象力与机智。预计Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备将成为一件备受推崇、令人钦佩且被珍爱的物品，兼具显著的专业性与创新性。这件赢得 A' Design Award 铜奖的设计融入艺术、科学、设计和技术领域的最佳实践，并因注重细节而出类拔萃。Voice Mask 语音消音可穿戴设备出色地满足需求，触动渴望，迷住情感，并吸引好奇心。

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.