WILL.I.AM and Honeywell have collaborated to bring the Xupermask to market.
What is the Xupermask?
It’s probably easiest to describe the Xupermask as equal parts: health & safety equipment, personal electronics, and fashion statement.
At its heart the Xupermask is a human-centered design intended to empower the user to feel both safe AND productive. It addresses the following set of user needs that are mostly unmet by traditional mask options:
1. Fits well to the face so escaping air doesn’t fog up your glasses
2. Fit also better prevents unsafe air from entering
3. Fans improve the ease of respiration
4. HEPA filters improve air quality
5. Built-in microphone for easier and safer phone calls
6. Built-in Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones for phone and entertainment
For me, the Xupermask seems like overkill for many day to day situations.
But, when I think about getting on public transport every day or flying on a commercial airline cross-country or across an ocean, the idea of having a Xupermask to wear becomes quite appealing.
And for those of us in the western United States, this could come in quite handy during forest fire season – just saying.
What do you think about the Xupermask?
Innovation or not?
Image credit: Xupermask
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In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world, remote work has become more prevalent than ever before. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, organizations worldwide have been forced to embrace remote work as the primary mode of operations. However, leading change in a remote work environment can bring forth a unique set of challenges. In this article, we will explore these challenges and provide insights from two case studies to help leaders navigate this shift successfully.
Case Study 1: Company X – Introducing a New Project Management Software
Company X, a medium-sized marketing agency, decided to implement a new project management software to enhance collaboration and streamline workflows. However, they faced significant challenges in making this transition in a remote work environment.
Communication was a major hurdle for Company X, as employees were used to in-person interactions. To overcome this obstacle, the company implemented regular virtual meetings to keep everyone informed about the software’s functionalities and benefits. They also encouraged open communication channels and used several digital tools to facilitate real-time discussions.
Another challenge was ensuring that all employees were equipped with the necessary tools and skills to use the new software effectively. Company X provided comprehensive training sessions and created a repository of resources accessible to all employees. Additionally, they designated internal champions who could provide assistance and guidance to their colleagues during the transition.
By effectively addressing the communication gap and providing adequate support, Company X successfully led the change and now enjoys improved project management and collaboration in their remote work environment.
Case Study 2: Company Y – Restructuring Teams
Company Y, a global technology company, decided to restructure their teams to align with their evolving business goals. This shift required employees to switch teams, work with new colleagues, and adapt to different roles. Such changes can be particularly challenging in a remote work environment where employees have limited face-to-face interactions.
To navigate this transition successfully, Company Y organized virtual team-building activities to foster connections and build rapport among team members. They also encouraged social interactions through digital platforms and created informal spaces for employees to share ideas and experiences.
To ensure a smooth transition, Company Y provided extensive training and resources to equip employees with the necessary knowledge and skills required for their new roles. Regular feedback and performance evaluations were conducted, helping employees feel supported and valued throughout the change process.
Thanks to these initiatives, Company Y successfully led the restructuring process, creating stronger, more agile teams that thrive in the remote work environment.
Conclusion
Leading change in a remote work environment poses unique challenges that require a thoughtful and proactive approach. By addressing communication gaps, providing training and resources, and fostering a sense of community and support, organizations like Company X and Company Y have successfully navigated these challenges. As remote work continues to shape our professional landscape, embracing change and effectively leading teams through such transitions will be crucial for long-term success.
Image credit: Pixabay
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NOTE: Nothing on this page is intended as medical advice. My only goal is to make information available so that people can get involved with co-innovation efforts and share resources that can be leveraged in crisis situations.
Calling all doctors, nurses, designers, engineers and designers…
Join one of the amazing Open Source Ventilator Projects to contribute your passion, creativity, time and expertise to help develop low-cost ventilators to fight the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are some ways of getting involved and some inspiration and some cheaper ventilator options:
Here is a video showing a DIY ventilator solution:
And here is a video from vacuum manufacturer Gtech in the United Kingdom (UK) showing a prototype they are working on to be entirely powered by the hospital oxygen supply in as simple a way as possible so they can hopefully meet the UK government’s call to make 30,000 ventilators in two weeks:
Just added another video highlighting an improvised design experiment the University of Minnesota is working on with some design partners:
Here is an open source ventilator project out of Germany – The CORESPONSE – COvid19 RESPirator (Open Source):
Cost is about 75 Euros per unit and all of the details of this 3D printed open source project are available by clicking here.
Here is an article (click here) and a video detailing how to turn a snorkeling mask into a non-invasive ventilator:
AgVa Healthcare has produced a low cost ventilator starting at under $700 (according to the video) that leverages an app on the user’s smartphone to control its functions. Another great example of Indian ingenuity that was originally submitted as a comment on this article:
Below is a video from the Lemelson Foundation from 2015 that shares the story of how Matt Callaghan came to start OneBreath Ventilators to create lower cost ventilators for developing countries and the rest of the world after H1N1 Swine Flu never became a problem in the USA thanks to President Obama’s administration proactive steps to protect our country. (Learn more about the design process by reading this Stanford Byers Center for BioDesign article)
UPDATE: Just found this video showing how to use one ventilator to save FOUR people – video from the United States’ Center for Disease Control (CDC) – all the details health professionals might need:
CAUTION, this from a doctor in Italy about risks of co-ventilating to be kept in mind as you group people to co-ventilate in a crisis situation:
“This is unfortunately not as good of an idea as it seems. In trauma and shootings, it’s one thing because lung compliance is unlikely to change quickly. However, in ARDS (and COVID19), we expect to have dramatic changes in lung compliance. When one patients lung compliance changes, there is a significant risk of underventilating the patient with lowest compliance and overventilating patients with highest compliance – both potentially deadly. I worry that instead of saving one person, you create a situation where you increase the odds of losing both (or all 4) patients“
VESper™ is a unique ventilator expansion device that allows a single ventilator to support up to four patients under emergency use authorization by the FDA during times of acute equipment shortages such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospitals can apply to receive the free source code and printing specifications for the device, produced using 3D printing technology, the device is developed with material already in use for medical devices and produced at minimal cost:
designed to work with ISO standard respiratory connections;
allows for appropriate filtering of bacteria and viruses in the ventilator tubing;
does not impact the care of other patients connected to the same machine.
SPECIAL BONUS for anyone facing a shortage of protective face shields.
And here is a video discussing whether people should wear face masks and how people can use DIY face masks without impacting availability of N95 and surgical masks to healthcare workers:
Here is a video showing how to make face masks to help healthcare workers:
Doctors and Nurses in Spain and other countries are already having to do this.
And, here is a picture of an ingenious idea of using a headband and buttons to save the ears of healthcare workers from chafing of wearing a mask 13-14 hours a day. Thanks Natasha Smith!
And, here is an interesting article about a surgical and N95 mask design that uses salt to help kill viruses like Coronavirus (COVID-19) on masks to improve their effectiveness in protecting the wearer against getting sick
If you know of other efforts working on creating low cost, quick to produce ventilators, please post as a comment!
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