Today, LG has officially announced a portable air purifier that can be worn on your face like a mask. The PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier uses a pair of replaceable filters similar to what could be found in LG’s range of air purifiers for the home. They were paired with with battery-powered fans to help you breath. Furthermore, LG says the device has sensors that can detect whether you are breathing in or out, so that it may adjust the fans’ speeds according to that.
Today’s announcement ahead of IFA 2020 doesn’t explicitly mention the COVID-19 pandemic, but it should not be to hard to realize that the mask was developed in a response to it. The company further explains that the wearable air purifier is designed to replace the widespread homemade masks worn by many people, but also to replace the disposable masks as well, that are hard to purchase in a lof of the places, due to the pandemic.
When LG officials first announced the mask in July, the also said they will be donating 2,000 of the devices to a university hospital in Seoul. One of the executives further said that they hoped it would help medical staff during the tough times of COVID-19 pandemic. What they hoped is that the new masks would make it easier for medical staff to wear a mask for hours at their work, as they are doing right now.
The portable air purifier is made out of two replaceable filters, with motorized fans to help with breathing.
However, it is important to highlight that LG’s press release did not specifically claim that this mask might be slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Furthermore it is yet unknown whether it filters air as you exhale or inhale it, and when they were asked about this issue directly, LG declined to comment, saying they were waiting until certification and testing is complete to give insight into full details.
On another more, the USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends against the use of masks with exhalation valves or vents to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, since these don’t filter expelled respiratory droplets, that could allow wearers to infect those nearby.
Due tot he fact that LG’s new mask uses motorized fans, it needs to be powered with battery in order to properly function. The PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier has a 820mAh battery that provides up to eight hours of use in its low-power mode, but only lasts for two hours in high-power mode.
In their official announcement, LG did not say precisely when the mask will be releases or how much it will cost, but suggested that it will be available in the fourth quarter of this year in some markets.