This $40 smart face mask can translate speech into 8 languages — here's how it works

• The C-Mask from Donut Robotics can translate and transcribe speech and connect to bluetooth.
• When the coronavirus hit, the company pivoted from its primary robot design to developing masks.
• They are set to ship in September, and cost about $40.

The coronavirus made masks a must-have item for leaving home, and Japanese company Donut Robotics gave them an upgrade. The robotics company pivoted from designs for airport travelers to integrating those same functions into face masks.

Experts have cautioned people to wear masks, whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not, and say that masks significantly reduce an infected person's ability to spread the virus. A downside, though, is that they make communication more difficult.

A mouth covering naturally muffles speech, and they also make lip-reading and following expressions difficult or impossible. With both transcription and translation capabilities, the C-Mask could be a solution to that problem, especially if masks are going to be part of everyday life for the foreseeable future.

Here's how Donut Robotics made them work.

Donut Robotics had a contract with Haneda Airport in Tokyo to sell robot translators and guides, like this robot, called Cinnamon.

Cinnamon robot.      KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Reuters

When COVID-19 hit, the team quickly worked to use its technology in a relevant way. "We worked hard for years to develop a robot and we have used that technology to create a product that responds to how the coronavirus has reshaped society," CEO Taisuke Ono told Reuters.

C-Mask.      Reuters

The mask connects to a smartphone app over Bluetooth, where it can then transcribe speech, be used for calls, or translate Japanese into eight different languages.

C-Mask.      Donut Robotics

The name comes from the Five Cs on Donut Robotics' website:

C-Mask.      Donut Robotics

1.Clear voice

2. Connect with smartphone

3. Cool design

4. Clean material

5. Combat coronavirus.

It took Donut Robotics' designers only about a month to adapt the technology from the translator robot into the mask.

C-Mask.      Donut Robotics

The C-Mask is worn over a typical face mask, which holds up the smart mask with its straps.

C-Mask.      Donut Robotics

The first 5,000 C-Masks will ship in Japan in September.

C-Mask.      Reuters

The company also has plans to sell in Europe, the US, and China, and has received international attention since it was featured by Reuters.

C-Mask.      Donut Robotics

Ono also said that he hopes to make money from subscriptions to the translation app.

C-Mask and app.      Reuters