With this presentation, we have captured the key insights, ideas and considerations that went into the AirWaves design concept. AirWaves was developed by Azure Yang (frog Interaction designer) and Mingmin Wang (frog Industrial designer), both working at frog Shanghai. AirWaves is a connected face mask that protects people from air pollution, while collecting location-specific air pollution data at the same time to share with a network of like-minded people. Given the latest news on air pollution records during Chinese New Year 2013, the concept saw some attention in the media, which is why we feel it is worthwhile to add some context regarding our basic intent as well as the evolution of the concept. For more wearable technology concepts created by frog visit: http://www.frogdesign.com/mobile

1. AirWaves Connected Mask
Wearable computing concept

2. INTRODUCTION
您好 from frog Shanghai
With this presentation, we have captured the key insights, ideas and
considerations that went into the AirWaves design concept.
AirWaves was developed by Azure Yang (frog Interaction designer)
and Mingmin Wang (frog Industrial designer), both working at frog
Shanghai.
AirWaves is a connected face mask that protects people from air
pollution, while collecting location-specific air pollution data at the
same time to share with a network of like-minded people.
Given the latest news on air pollution records during Chinese New
Year 2013, the concept saw some attention in the media, which is
why we feel it is worthwhile to add some context regarding our basic
intent as well as the evolution of the concept.

3. Face masks are an
everyday product in
China and serve a
broad range of needs
ranging from self-
protection to health-
etiquette.
Although often intriguing to the Western
eye, protecting the face from polluted air,
cold weather, sun or viruses is a common
behavior in China and other Asian
countries. As a response to this range of
needs, we see a rather diverse and
nuanced offering of different mask types.
SOME SHANGHAI FROGS PORTRAYED WITH THEIR FACE MASKS

4. While it is one of the
fastest growing
economies in the
world, China also
leads the charts in
air pollution.
A study from the Asian Development
Bank and Beijing’s Tsinghua University
suggests that China is home to seven of
the world’s 10 most polluted cities. Last
year, China alone consumed as much coal
as the rest of the world combined.
Various studies suggest that illness,
premature death and loss of productivity
will cost the country as much as $100
billion a year.
AIR POLLUTION IS AN ALMOST PERMANENT PHENOMENON IN MANY CITIES
image source: http://www.morningwhistle.com/html/2013/PoliticsSociety_0113/216602.html

5. During Chinese New
Year 2013, the
damaging air
pollution was further
amplified by the
traditional use of
fireworks, setting
record highs.
Cities in northwestern China such as
Beijing and Qingdao suffered from
extraordinary pollution peaks, before,
during and after the Chinese New Year
holiday in 2013.
VIEW FROM SHANGHAI’S WORLD FINANCIAL CENTRE, SHANGHAI, PUDONG
Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51115641@N05/5687038815/sizes/o/in/photostream/

6. Air quality has since
seen much coverage
both in the local and
global media. In
response, the
demand for masks,
cans of fresh air and
air purifiers has
peaked.
For the first time in history the Chinese
government has addressed the un-
deniable issue publicly - as a result masks
known to be effective to filter all relevant
particle types have sold out within days.
CHINESE GROUP PRACTICING TAICHI OUTSIDE
image source: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2013/01/chinas_skies_toxic_levels_of_p.html

7. The problem has
turned into an even
more heated debate,
and many argue
whether China is
paying too high a
price for its
economic progress.
The high toxicity of China’s air is making
headlines and stirring up more and more
of the country’s vocal social media users.
Chinese people of public interest such as
directors and artists have publicly
criticized the current situation as
unbelievable and appalling.
AI WEIWEI, ONE OF CHINA’S CRITICAL ARTISTS
image source: http://thaiphong.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/

8. The Chinese have yet
to find trustworthy
and accurate data
sources to guide
their behaviors and
decisions.
To understand the current level of air
pollution, people refer to a collection of
apps and services. The often large
discrepancy between different data
sources leaves many insecure which
information to trust and respond to.

9. During an internal
competition focused on
wearable technology, frog’s
designers in Shanghai
created a concept that
enhances the traditional
face mask with a particle
sensor and Bluetooth
connectivity.

10. A smartphone app
collects, visualizes
and shares the data
with the community
The mask uses a
particle sensor
to measure
air quality and
share the data
via Bluetooth

11. ICONIC: PRONOUNCED: TRIVIAL:
mask design introduces mask design unibody mask made of
a novel silhouette and emphasizes its new flexible fabric and
other signature functionality by rubber, downplaying its
elements promoting an iconic enhanced functionality
element

12. With the basic conceptual
direction established they
explored different design
directions aiming to strike
the right balance between
its aesthetic and utilitarian
aspects. (see the following slides)

19. The AirWaves mask
filters and feeds the
pollution data it
collects into a phone
application to
visualize and share
with the network.
AirWaves enables a network of like-
minded people to benefit from the
collective data that has been gathered.
Users can view and interact with the data
through a smartphone app. Furthermore,
the data should be accessible to app
developers and enable them to innovate
further.

20. At frog we believe that
open, publicly available
data will drive trust and
encourage individuals and
businesses (small or large)
to innovate and shape our
future cities, workplaces
and homes.
20

21. Azure Yang Mingmin Wang
(frog Interaction Designer) (frog Industrial Designer)
21

22. xie xie nin