A Japanese company has created a “smart’’ mask to improve communication for people wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The use of face masks has become the new normal in parts of the world still trying hard to reduce spread of the coronavirus. However, masks and other kinds of coverings can affect the quality of communication between wearers.
It can be more difficult to hear voices through the coverings. Many business and public spaces also have social distance barriers in place, which also make it harder for people to be heard and understood.
The wearable electronic device is designed to help improve speech interactions in such conditions. The Japanese startup company Donut Robotics calls its invention the “e-mask”. The device is worn over other common face masks.
The e-mask is made of soft plastic material. It has a built-in microphone and holes in the front to let air in. When it is turned on, the mask uses Bluetooth technology to connect to a mobile device. An app then helps users perform several actions, including turning speech into text, completing telephone calls and making the user’s voice louder. If needed, when people speak, the text of the conversation can also be displayed on a large computer screen, which makes modern online meetings possible. During a company meeting, minutes can be created and translated without typing.
Donut Robotics plans to create a world where people can connect with each other from a distance better. The e-mask will be equipped with a Wi-Fi router. And the company is planning to install AR function as well.
“About 6,000 e-masks have been sold in Japan since a year ago.” Taisuke Ono, the head of Donut Robotics said, “I have received strong interest in the product and I believe it will sell well in China, the United States and Europe.”
【小题1】The e-mask was invented in order to ________.| A．tell people to keep social distance | B．help people to be heard more clearly |
| C．change people’s ways of communication | D．improve the quality of the common mask |
| A．A mobile app | B．An hole in the front | C．A microphone | D．The plastic material |
| A．e-masks are very popular in the world now |
| B．electronic devices will be replaced by e-masks |
| C．people will buy more e-masks than common ones |
| D．Taisuke Ono is sure of the bright future of e-masks |
| A．the ways to use the e-mask better | B．the invention and function of the e-mask |
| C．the ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 | D．the advantages and disadvantages of the e-mask |
