Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ezenhlalakahle Competition Category.

IbhulonziEzenhlalakahle· 2022

Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi

by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezenhlalakahle Category

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The Design

About Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi

I-Voice Mask iwumqondo wedivayisi yokugqokwa ethulisa lokho umsebenzisi akushoyo ngokuzwakalayo. Ubuchwepheshe bokuqeda umsindo busetshenziswa ukuze kufihlwe izwi ngokukhipha igagasi lomsindo eliphambene nalo. I-Voice Mask isekela imihlangano eyenziwa nge-inthanethi ebanjelwa ezindaweni zomphakathi, njengehhovisi elikhulu noma ikhefi. Le divayisi isiza ukuvimbela ukudalulwa kolwazi oluyimfihlo futhi igwema ukuphazamisa abanye abantu abaseduze. Uma isetshenziswa, i-Voice Mask igqokwa entanyeni futhi ibekwe ukuze imboze umlomo, ngendlela efana neyokubamba i-harmonica. Umzimba wayo ogoqekayo wenziwa ngenqubo yokufaka izinto eziyisitshalo (plastic injection molding) futhi kulula ukuyithwala.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award

Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Voice Mask Idivayisi Yokugqokwa Yokuthulisa Izwi iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.

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.