# Japanese startup creates ‘connected’ face mask | Tech News (HT Tech) > At about $40 per mask, Donut Robotics is aiming at a mass market that did not exist until a few months ago. # Japanese startup creates ‘connected’ face mask ## At about $40 per mask, Donut Robotics is aiming at a mass market that did not exist until a few months ago. Aug 20 2022, 21:42 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![Donut Robotics' first 5,000 c-masks will be shipped to buyers in Japan starting in September](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2020/06/27/960x540/2020-06-26T094329Z_1303164678_RC2XGH9FLCP5_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-JAPAN-MASK-TECHNOLOGY_1593261039611_1593261060254.JPG) Donut Robotics' first 5,000 c-masks will be shipped to buyers in Japan starting in September (REUTERS) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By REUTERS As face coverings become the norm amid the coronavirus pandemic, Japanese startup Donut Robotics has developed an internet-connected "smart mask" that can transmit messages and translate from Japanese into eight other languages. The white plastic "c-mask" fits over standard face masks and connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone and tablet application that can transcribe speech into text messages, make calls, or amplify the mask wearer's voice. "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," said Taisuke Ono, the chief executive of Donut Robotics. Also read click here. ALSO READ: Apple releases iOS 13.5 beta, makes it easy for people to unlock iPhone when wearing a mask Donut Robotics' engineers came up with the idea for the mask as they searched for a product to help the company survive the pandemic. When the coronavirus struck, it had just secured a contract to supply robot guides and translators to Tokyo's Haneda Airport, a product that faces an uncertain future after the collapse of air travel. Japanese startup Donut Robotics' CEO Taisuke Ono shows the c-mask and its mobile phone application during a demonstration in Tokyo, (REUTERS) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2020/06/27/original/2020-06-26T094330Z_2105480279_RC2XGH9S01N0_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-JAPAN-MASK-TECHNOLOGY_1593261093274.JPG) Japanese startup Donut Robotics' CEO Taisuke Ono shows the c-mask and its mobile phone application during a demonstration in Tokyo, (REUTERS) Donut Robotics' first 5,000 c-masks will be shipped to buyers in Japan starting in September, with Ono looking to sell in China, the United States and Europe too. There has been strong interest, he said. One aim, he said, is to generate revenue from subscriber services offered via an app that users will download. Japanese startup Donut Robotics' CEO Taisuke Ono wears a c-mask as he demonstrates the connected face masks messaging function with his chief engineer, Takafumi Okabe. (REUTERS) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Japanese startup Donut Robotics' CEO Taisuke Ono wears a c-mask as he demonstrates the connected face masks messaging function with his chief engineer, Takafumi Okabe. (REUTERS) Donut Robotics built a prototype connected mask within a month by adapting translation software developed for its robot and a mask design that one of the company's engineers, Shunsuke Fujibayashi, created four years ago for a student project to interpret speech by mapping face muscles. ALSO READ: Huami plans transparent mask that can clean itself Ono raised 28 million yen ($260,000) for development by selling Donut Robotics shares through Japanese crowdfunding site Fundinno. "We raised our initial target of 7 million yen within three minutes and stopped after 37 minutes when we had reached 28 million yen," he said. 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