Nextgenics Smart face masks

Forcit pioneers the futuristic wearable technology: smart face mask affords innovative protection against COVID-19.

Smart face masks which have been prototyped in a joint collaboration between Forcit Benelux and Holst Center in Eindhoven (TNO & imec), initially targets the professional medical world and features the combination of technology and ease of use.

“Forcit predicts a promising future success for this project because the momentum is there, the market is ripe, the business plan is foolproof and the expertise and technology are available.”

The smart face masks that are developed in this collaborative project are connected to an app and generally aimed to guide the user, eliminate inconveniences and make the users’ lives safer and more comfortable. In particular, there are two development phases. In the first phase, the smart face mask will:

• amplify the voice through a built-in microphone and speaker;

• notify when it is time to replace the filter to make breathing easier;

• keep the shape of the mask firmly in place;

• obtain the necessary input for EU certification;

• learn from data analysis based on breathing

In the second phase, more technological features are added in order to monitor parameters such as temperature, oxygen saturation, breathing rhythm and to enable the mask sensors to measure and report data via the linked app. In fact, the health status of the user/ patient will be monitored and predicted by such a face mask function.

While some additional sensors will be added at a later stage of development, in the piloting phase of the first generation of the smart face masks, the combination of 3D printing together with Holst center’s communication technology was used for the production.

The whole project is guided by independent experts and its progress is closely tracked by an advisory board and professionals.

While the primary aim of a smart face mask seems to provide protection against Covid-19, the final version ultimately intends to make early detection of respiratory infections possible. The intelligent mask is widely applicable to doctors, nurses and patients.

Doctors can have access to the intelligent face masks in the piloting stage. The masks are offered and the doctors’ feedbacks are collected via the website: https://smartfacemasks.org. Based on the acquired input, improvements can be made: the design can be further refined and extra technology can be added. The collected feedback also contributes to the spread of smart face mask usage to other domains and purposes; for example, cultural performers who need to wear masks during rehearsals and performances, workers in dusty or chemical environments, firefighters, pilots, etc.