With the whole world walking around with face masks, it was only a matter of time before companies stepped in to incorporate technology in them and turn them futuristic.
From monitoring vital signs to filtering polluted air and even translating languages, researchers and tech companies are rolling out unusual models to both guard against infection and cash in on the growing trend of mask-wearing.
Japanese robotics company Donut Robotics shows us that the future is now – with a face mask that doubles as a translator. It's called 'C-Face', and it has microphones in the mask which sends your speech to a smartphone app, which then translates it into your chosen language, allowing people to have conversations from up to 10 metres apart.
The company stated that the lightweight silicon device would be beneficial to people like doctors who need to speak to patients from a distance. However, the C-Face mask doesn't actually protect you from the coronavirus, users will still need to wear a face mask underneath.
As of now, the C-Face translates the Japanese language to English, Korean, and more. It is unknown yet if it can translate in the reverse, but despite that the company has raised nearly 100 million yen (US$950,000) via crowdfunding to develop it. It is planned to go on sale in February for about 4,000 yen (US$40).
Japan is not the only one developing high tech face masks, and right here at home, researchers are also developing masks with sensors in them.
The sensors will be able to monitor body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels and the data will be transferred to a smartphone app via bluetooth. However, this invention is targeted at frontline workers who are treating Covid-19 patients.
Loh Xian Jun, one of the scientists who worked on the mask, said, "Many of these frontline workers will be exposed to patients when they are taking their vital signs. This poses a health risk to the nurses, and we wanted to think about a way to reduce such risk."
The inventors of the device also say that it could also monitor vital signs of migrant workers in crowded dorms, which incubated massive virus outbreaks earlier this year. They hope to trial it in the near future and market it commercially.
Look to South Korea if you're looking to protect yourself from the virus and combat the harmful effects of air pollution, as LG is debuting the PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier, a wearable smart mask that filters air pollution and eliminates germs and viruses.
The air-purifying mask is equipped with two H13 HEPA filters, which can be removed and replaced as needed. In fact, when the filters need to be changed, the mask sends a notification to the user's smartphone via a mobile app.
It is also ergonomically designed based on extensive facial shape analysis, and the mask fits snugly to minimise air leakage around the nose and chin. Thousands have already been made available to medical staff, and it will also be rolled out commercially in the future, the company says.