Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a maker has developed a face mask featuring a hatch that actuates based on input from three passive infrared (PIR) sensors and is powered by an Arduino Nano.
The maker, called DesignMaker, posted a YouTube video about how and why he developed the servo-actuated mask, which relies on the sensors to detect movement and closes the mask in response. When the sensors are not activated for a period, the mask opens again.
While it may make the wearer look like Bane from the Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” the mask is not something that can be used as an effective medical device because there is no cloth or other sealing materials inside. The maker said this is more of a proof-of-concept to see what could be done with masks to make them easier to use, more comfortable and efficient.