Project Hazel by Razer is an N95 respirator that can project your voice

Razer claims to have made the world’s smartest mask: its new reusable N95 respirator, called Project Hazel. It is a concept design with a shiny outer coating made of waterproof and scratch-resistant recycled plastic, which is transparent to allow lip reading and to see facial signs when you talk to people.

There is currently no price or release date attached. Razer refers to Project Hazel as a surgical N95, but has not yet obtained any of the necessary approvals and certifications from the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In a statement to The Verge, Razer said it is working with a team of medical experts and scientists who are helping to develop the mask.

The main characteristics of this mask are within its two circular zones that flank its mouth. They are used for ventilation, giving the device an almost futuristic gas mask appearance. Razer says the Hazel Project will use active disk fans, filtering the air that is inspired, as well as the CO2 that is being expired. The company adds that it will be certified to filter 95 percent of airborne particles, including the COVID-19 virus and other common pathogens.

These fans are removable and rechargeable, although Razer is still studying the details about two very important factors: how long they will be effective and how Razer will alert the user when the time comes for a new one. A spokesman said The Verge that the longevity of the fans is still being tested and, when the filters need to be changed, Razer expects users to be notified via a complementary mobile app.

Microphones and amplifiers built into the fans will project your voice through the mask, so you don’t have to worry about sounding muffled. We haven’t seen it in action yet, or we’ve had a chance to try it out. Razer told us that it is working with THX sound engineers to strike a balance in terms of how loud the speakers must be for accessibility purposes.

Razer says Project Hazel is comfortable, despite all the internal technology. The mask seals around your nose and chin with a silicone pad and uses adjustable ear loops so that most people can find the right fit (although it is probably a little heavier than the average mask) .

Of course, this would not be a modern Razer product if it did not support Chroma RGB LEDs. Each of the amplifier respirator rings can shine in the color of your choice. And when it gets dark, a set of LEDs is automatically activated to illuminate your mouth so that others can still see you talking. It is difficult to say how effective these LEDs will be to fully illuminate your mouth, but they can still be useful.

Image: Razer

Razer predicts that each Hazel Project mask will include a large charging case that sterilizes the mask with ultraviolet light when not in use, although it is still in the concept stage.

Most of us already have countless masks, but there is certainly a place for Project Hazel in the world – if it ever comes out.

Image: Razer

Razer has yet another announcement for CES 2021, and it is purely conceptual. It’s called Project Brooklyn, and (since you can’t tell by the name) it’s a state-of-the-art gaming chair with an integrated touchscreen and a curved rollout OLED screen. Theoretically, it supports inputs from all game sources, making it the ultimate gaming station. But without a CES in person, it seems that Razer did not feel the need to produce a physical model of the Brooklyn Project. We will see if some aspects of this idea will be included in future products; thunderous noise seems like the most practical components.