[comprehensive] smart mask is to add a fan? This British company does not think so

With the haze problem becoming more and more important in recent years, masks are now more like a necessities of life. More and more companies are trying to add “smart” elements to their masks, and they hope to attach the products to popular “smart” labels for consumers with different needs.

However, unlike other smart products, because of the need for masks in terms of size, portability, and ease of use, the “smart” label of masks is not so good—the so-called “smart” masks on the market are mostly just Adding a small fan to the position of the breathing valve to better discharge the moisture generated during breathing in the hood - useful is useful, but what does this have to do with intelligence?

A London-based startup Cambridge Mask Co. (Cambridge Masks) hopes to change the situation: they have released a new Smart Valve that can record and track your breathing data and target masks. Use the length of time to give advice. They hope that they can really make the mask smart.

Cambridge Masks is a startup company that was founded in 2015 and the company has invested in the famous incubator Y Combinator. Previously, its main product was a mid-to-high-end consumer, reusable professional anti-haze mask, and this release of the smart breathing valve is the company's latest product, currently only launched in Kickstarter crowdfunding, has not yet officially sold.

“We have been producing great masks for the past two years, but now with the new Smart Breathing Valve, we will take the customer experience to the next level!” Cambridge Mask CEO Christopher Dobbing was excited when he introduced the new product. “Smart Breathing Valves can connect to your phone app, track your breathing data, and send out reminders when your mask needs to be replaced.”

Unlike other products on the market, Smart Respiratory masks from Cambridge masks do not have the function of moisture in the outlet hood. Instead, they are replaced by several sensors: they can track the wearer’s breathing and connect with the phone. The data is finally displayed through the APP. Christopher hopes that these data will help mask wearers understand their breathing situation in detail and expose potential respiratory problems.

Searching for “smart masks” on Taobao, there are 27 smart masks available for sale, 19 of which are integrated in the masks or add fans. One is integrated with the headphone function, and the rest have no obvious smart features. The mask with smart breathing valve released by the Cambridge mask should be the first mask that can monitor respiratory data. As people attach importance to respiratory health, can the new product achieve a good market response? Let's wait and see.