Razer says it is planning to launch its N95 reusable face mask concept. Launched in January, the Hazel Project includes active disk-type fans, Chroma RGB lighting and voice projection. The face mask is also transparent, allowing lip reading and the ability to see facial signs when you speak to people.
“We were thinking, this is a conceptual project and it will be relevant when vaccinations and everything has been implemented,” said Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan in an interview with Yahoo Finance. “We will proceed to make it a reality and send the smart mask.”
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The Razer smart mask made its surprise debut at CES 2021 earlier this year, with removable and refillable fans and a shiny outer shell made of waterproof and scratch-resistant recycled plastic. The fans also act as voice amplifiers, thanks to the built-in microphones so that you don’t sound muffled when speaking.
Chroma RGB lighting allows both fans to shine and even automatically direct light to your mouth when it gets dark, so that others can see you talking. It is a smart mask loaded with technology, but Razer insists that it is comfortable to wear thanks to the adjustable headphones.
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Razer has not committed to any type of price or release date, and the company will also need approvals and certifications from the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. However, this does not stop Razer from making this smart mask real.
“Project Hazel is going to be a reality,” says Tan. “We are going to make it happen and I think that all of us, unfortunately, will be wearing masks for a long time.”