Researchers create a 'smart' mask for COVID-19 with a speaker and translation software

A Japanese technology company has developed a new Bluetooth-powered smart mask that uses a speaker to amplify a person's voice. Called'c-mask,' the device can also covert a person's speech into text and then translate it into eight different languages through a smartphone app. The mask was developed by Donut Robotics, which initially raised seven million yen, or around $260,000, to fund its development through the Japanese crowdfunding site Fundinno. Donut Robotics has developed a new smart mask to protect against COVID-19 transmission, which also contains a built-in speaker to amplify a person's voice and connects to a smartphone app that can translate speech into eight languages According to Donut, around 5,000 masks are currently planned to be produced and distributed in Japan this September, where they'll retail for 3,980 yen, or around $37. The company will also charge an additional monthly subscription fee to access translation services, according to a report in Japan Today - though the exact pricing hasn't been announced.