With many countries around the world asking residents to wear face masks to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19, many businesses have pivoted to meet the demand.
One such innovation in the world of masks has come out of Japan from a tech startup called Donut Robotics. The team at Donut Robotics have created a face mask — called the C-Face — that offers protection from COVID-19, while also doubling as a translation device, as reported by GQ Australia.
The C-Face works by recording your speech via in-built microphones. A chip within the mask then connects to your smartphone via an app and translates your speech into one of the nine different languages available.
To raise money to fund the creation of the C-Face mask, developers set up a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes to raise seven million Yen (just over AU$90,000) and according to GQ, they reached this goal within three minutes.
In the end, the developers were able to secure over $300,000 of investment via the crowdfunding platform in order to bring the C-Face to life.
“We worked hard for years to develop a robot and we have used that technology to create a product that responds to how the coronavirus has reshaped society,” said Taisuke Ono, the chief executive of Donut Robotics.
The first 5,000 C-Face masks will begin to ship around Japan in September. The company also has plans to distribute the masks in markets like the United States, China and Europe.
When we’re able to travel internationally again, this technology will definitely come in handy!