Wednesday, March 27, 2024

JabberMask face mask can smile or mimic your mouth while speaking

During this COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a mask is mandatory in many parts of the world to prevent the spread of infection. The situation has enhanced the creativity of many to offer innovative technological solutions.

With an aim to make the mask more interesting, Tyler Glaiel, a video game programmer and designer, has developed JabberMask, an interactive voice-controlled facemask that you can make smile on-demand. The JabberMask masks try to reflect the movements of the mouth while speaking or can smile or display emojis on-demand, through the use of LED light arrays, with voice activation through an integrated microphone.

The facemask can show different emojis, love heart, or simple.
The facemask can show different emojis, love heart, or simple.

It can show different emojis, love hearts, or simple words like “NO” and “OK”. However, what’s more interesting thing is it can move a virtual mouth with what you’re saying. This innovative mask could be a creative way to get around some of the communication barriers of a COVID-19 world.

The masks have everything necessary to be able to function independently, including its own compartment for the controller and the power supply, which will be located at the back of the head. The basic model, JabberMask Lite, comes with a 6 x 6 LED grid, is able to display the moving mouth and smile, and is powered by four AAAA batteries. The JabberMask Pro option uses an 8 x 8 LED grid and a rechargeable battery. It also has its own complementary application for Android and iOS, and its own remote control support, which increases its possibilities to reflect emojis, words, letters, and symbols.

The JabberMask Pro version adds emoji support, controlled through an Android and iOS app.
The JabberMask Pro version adds emoji support, controlled through an Android and iOS app.

The face-masks themselves are made of cotton and are washable. In addition, JabberMask masks allow battery savings through Sleep Mode.

Glaiel has now launched his line of JabberMask masks through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Users can opt for the JabberMask Lite masks, at the cost of $29; masks JabberMask Deluxe, $49; and JabberMask Pro, $69. We will have to wait until May of next year for the start of shipments of the masks.

In any case, it is a quite striking solution that will not leave anyone indifferent, ideal to protect, but also to use at parties at any time, whether there is a pandemic or not.