All Of The Weirdest Masks People Come Up With To Protect Themselves From COVID-19

Desperate time calls for solutions and that holds true when COVID-19 struck. Five months into 2020 and we have seen people taking a new habit of wearing face masks wherever they go.

However, with people’s faces hidden behind a piece of cloth, trouble follows. That is why many inventions have been introduced to solve the problems wearing masks bring. Let’s look some of the most creative, and high-tech:

Automatic Masks Open For Fresh Air And Close When Someone Is Around

This mask sports a wide range of components to make automation possible. The structure is 3D-printed and on it we have wires, batteries, PIR sensors, Adruino Nano, hinges, and LED lights.

The flap that automatically opens and closes is controlled by infrared sensors that detect emission level.

It sounds nice on paper but in reality, all kinds of problems can arise. When the sensor detects false signals, it will close on its own and interrupt whatever you are doing.

However, on the bright side, it looks cool.

>>> This Face Mask Automatically Opens For Fresh Air And Closes When Someone's Around

Masks With Mechanical Mouths

This creep-looking mask has a mechanical mouth that will close and open when you pull a hand-held lever. From the look of it, this mask will be suitable for solid food more than anything liquid.

To make the best out of this invention, users will have to be able to sync gracefully between the movement of the fork hand and the lever hand, otherwise you will make a mess out of yourself.

The manufacturer said they could mass-produce this invention in the next few months and sold them at a price a little more expensive than a regular mask.

>>> COVID-19 Mask With Mechanical Mouth Expected To Fly Off The Shelves

Light-Up Masks That Can Detect COVID-19 Cases

A team from Harvard and MIT are working to turn Zika and Ebola-detecting masks into the ones that can identify the Coronavirus.

Here is how the mask works. If the team succeeds in repeating the success they have with Ebola or Zika, the Coronavirus mask will light up when a patient nearby breaths, sneezes or coughs.

In an interview, a research of this project said the masks could be helpful at airports as well as in daily lives.

>>> These Light-Up Face Masks Can Detect Coronavirus Cases

LED Face Masks Alerting People To Keep 2 Meters Away from You

These masks have two layers of cotton and between them, there is a plastic panel with LED light bright enough to be visible underneath the cotton layer.

This panel has only 512 pixels, definitely inferior to that of your smartphone but enough to show a message. The mask connects to user’s smartphone via Bluetooth so you can upload messages with your device.

The battery that powers the panel can last for, more or less, four hours, depending on how complex the message is. On the flip side, the creator of this maks advices people not to wear it for too long as the plastic panel can block air from coming through the cotton layers.

>>> This LED Face Mask Will Alert Other People To Stay 2 Meters Away From You

Masks That Look Exactly Like Wearer’s Face

This man 3D-print a mask that looks exactly like him so that he can unlock his phone while wearing it. When you look at the creation, you will see that it is true likeness, from the moles on his face to the hair on his eyebrows.

The creator did not share much about the process to make the mask. However, he did say the machines he used were the Super Scan Studio Face Rig 3D scanner and the Stratasys J750 3D printer.

>>> 3D-Printing Master Makes Realistic-Looking Mask That Looks Just Like Him

Transparent Masks That Show People’s Mouths

This transparent mask allows other people to see the mouth of the wearer as well as the expression on his or her face. This is extremely important for people with hearing impair.

>>> This Face Mask Will Show Your Smile But It Does Look A Bit Creepy

Masks With Straw Hole To Drink Anything

When your face is covered, you will have to say good bye to drinking and eating in public. However, that is no longer a problem with these masks with a hole to put straws through.

The masks are made from cotton and have embellished fabrics on. The idea proves to be good as the first batch of masks sold out after only 30 minutes.

>>> Face Masks Allowing You To Drink Anything, Even Alcohol, Sold Out After 30 Minutes

Bra-Shaped Face Masks

Atsumi Fashion, a Japanese company, recently launched a line of masks that look exactly like a bra, as they are made from the same materials used for women’s undergarments.

>>> Bra-Shaped Face Masks Sold Out Only Minutes After Going On Sale