Woobi Play 2016-2017

Designers: Lars Larsen & Mirko Ihrig, Kilo, Valby, Denmark
Manufacturer: Airmotion Laboratories, Beijing, China

According to a Unicef report from 2016, more than 300 million children live in areas with the most toxic levels of outdoor air pollution – six or more times higher than international guidelines. Woobi is a modular, clean air solution, designed to fit into a kid’s universe while still being able to perform at a professional level. Young children breathe faster than adults, and take in more air relative to their body weight. They are more susceptible to air pollution; their lungs, brains and immune systems are still developing, and their respiratory tracts are more permeable, meaning it is important that they are protected from exposure to toxic air. Woobi is a high-performance solution, using the same HEPA filter as is found in professional industrial masks, and filtering at least 95% of airborne particulate matter. It is designed to meet kids at eye level, involving them in interaction with the mask and making it more appealing for them to wear.

Woobi comes disassembled with an educational manual. The modular system encourages kids and parents to put the parts together, piece by piece, to build the finished product. The interaction helps them to understand the product’s functionality and introduces a dialogue on pollution and protection. When we engage with kids and allow them operate and individualize the mask, they can develop an active sense of autonomy over their own safety. Compared to more traditional masks on the market which typically hide the face, Woobi’s asymmetric design DNA and its translucent, medical-grade silicone structure aims to achieve effective protection while remaining sensitive to the social needs of its users. Woobi play defines a new, higher standard for kids’ masks, from product quality to efficiency. The product supports the growing wishes among parents to protect their kids against a world in radical change.