HIGHLIGHTS

• LG is slated to launch a face mask with built-in mic and speakers that will help users carry conversations efficiently.
• The microphone and speakers are said to work on VoiceON technology.
• LG has not specified a date of launch but has noted that it will officially launch in Thailand in August, with other markets to follow once approved by local regulators.

LG is slated to launch a face mask with built-in mic and speakers that will help users carry conversations efficiently without having to pull down the mask. LG had launched the Puricare wearable air purifier last year and is now bringing improvements to the beta model. The microphone and speakers are said to work on VoiceON technology that will not require users to pull down their masks or raise their voice to carry a conversation.

The technology automatically recognises when users are talking and amplifies their voice through built-in speakers so listeners don’t have to strain or lean in to hear every word. LG notes that PuriCare’s lightweight design will make it easier for users to wear it throughout the day.

“Employing LG’s unique air solution technology, the new PuriCare Wearable delivers enhanced all-around performance with a smaller, lighter, more efficient motor. What hasn’t changed are the reliable LG DUAL fans which control airflow automatically by sensing the user’s breathing patterns to make breathing easier and more natural,” LG notes in a statement.

The mask weighs 94 grams and can be worn for up to 8 hours with a 1000 mA battery which recharges in two hours with an easy charge USB cable. “The PuriCare Wearable’s sleek, ergonomic design minimizes air leakage around the nose and chin to create a tight but comfortable seal for hours,” notes LG.

LG has however not stated if the mask also filters the air which its users exhale as it does when they inhale it. The company has also not specified the date of launch but has noted that it will officially launch in Thailand in August, with other markets to follow once approved by local regulators. The company also noted that the Puricare masks were worn by 120 Thai athletes, coaches and staff for the summer games in Tokyo.

LG launched the Puricare masks last year in July touting it as a portable air purifier. It noted that the masks have a respiratory sensor that detects the cycle and volume of the wearer’s breath and adjusts the dual three-speed fans accordingly. The fans automatically speed up to assist air intake and slow down to reduce resistance when exhaling to make breathing effortless. LG has previously noted that the air solution masks also come with a case that helps maintain hygiene between uses. They are equipped with UV-LED lights that kill harmful germs, the one-of-a-kind case can even charge the mask and sends a notification to the LG ThinQ mobile app compatible with Android or iOS when the filters need to be replaced for peak performance.