Teenagers in Israel use 3D-printer to create face mask designed for lip-reading

A doctoral student teamed up with secondary school pupils in Israel to create a Covid-19 face mask designed to make it possible to lip-read during the pandemic.

The mask, dubbed “Read My Lips”, features a transparent front panel, is reusable and can be sterilised. It is specifically designed for those with hearing impairments and who read lips to communicate.

A doctoral student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Carolina Tannenbaum-Baruchi​, whose parents are both deaf, worked on the project with Maayan Levin, who is a mentor on a robotics programme led by the organisation World ORT.

Students enrolled on the programme, aged 12 to 18, adapted her design which they brought to life using a 3D printer at a local school.

Dan Green, World ORT’s acting director general and CEO, said: “The creativity shown by our students involved in this remarkable project is the perfect example of how ORT’s innovative spirit gives young people the tools they need to make a difference in the world.

“Our mission is to place the future in the hands of the next generation by focusing on STEM, problem solving and critical thinking. The Roboactive team’s work on the ‘Read My Lips’ face mask is the embodiment of this. We could not be more proud of their efforts.”

The university is hoping to refine the design, currently marketed online in Israel for US$4 (approximately £3).