LG announces a battery-powered, air-purifying mask

LG has announced a ‘wearable air purifier’ – a new mask with built-in fans and filters designed to make wearing a mask for hours upon ends easier and “give a new meaning to clean, personal air”. 

The mask uses two replaceable H13 HEPA filters, similar to those used in its not-so-wearable home range of air purifiers. The Korean tech giant is calling the mask a solution to a short supply of disposable masks and inconsistent homemade masks, but it isn’t clear yet whether these masks will be able to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The LG PuriCare Wearable will use Dual Fans and a patented Respiratory Sensor to sense whether you are breathing in our out and adjust the speed of the fans accordingly. “The fans automatically speed up to assist air intake and slow down to reduce resistance when exhaling to make breathing effortless,” reads the announcement.

The mask is designed ergonomically to ensure comfort when wearing it for long periods of time and to minimize air leakage around the nose and chin. When it was first announced, LG planned to gift 2000 PuriCare Wearables to a hospital in South Korea to help staff manage with wearing a mask all day, much like Apple at the start of the widespread lockdowns. 

Powered by “efficient and lightweight” 820mAh battery, the mask can work for up to eight hours on its lowest setting, but only two on its highest. It is also well-equipped for hygiene purposes as well as convenience, with a “one-of-a-kind” case which uses UV-LED lights to kill germs, a charger and the ability to notify the LG ThinQ mobile app when the filters need to be replaced. 

Dan Song, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company, said, “At a time when consumers are seeking ways to make life safer and more convenient, it’s important that we’re able to offer solutions that add measurable value”.