A Japanese Company Is Developing a Face Mask That Can Translate Conversations
Into nine different languages.
As face masks become integrated into our daily routines, it’s no surprise that high-tech versions of protective face coverings — “smart masks,” so to speak — are on the horizon.
Japanese startup Donut Robotics is developing what they call the “C-Face,” a smart face mask that can record conversations and translate them into nine different languages including English, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. The technology has raised ¥28 million JPY (approximately $260,127 USD) via crowdfunding website Fundinno and is estimated to release sometime in September.
A short video introducing the C-Face reveals that it can connect to a user’s smartphone and from there, translate speech using a special app. The apparatus can connect to WiFi and also includes functions for messaging, calls, meetings and telemedicine appointments.
Donut Robotics CEO Taisuke Ono spoke to Reuters Japan about the development: ”For many years, we have spent time on developing robots, and we have decided to utilize the technology to be useful in the post-coronavirus world,” he said, as translated by Dazed Digital.
