Face Mask Fit Virtual Simulation

April 2020 scientific study "Face Masks Against COVID-19: An Evidence Review" Recommended that public officials and governments strongly encourage the use of widespread face masks in public, including the use of appropriate regulation.

According to WHO Covid-19 spokesman David Nabarro - the virus is not going away and wearing facial protection will soon become normal, (Radio 4 Today programme Monday 13th April 2020).

"Wearing face masks while travelling in London should be compulsory", city mayor Sadiq Khan has told the government. (BBC News 16/4/2020)

Several US states require wearing of masks, when you can't social distance such as in stores and on public transport.

Data shows that wearing a well-fitting mask can reduce the risk of contaminating others by up to six times.

There is no easy way currently to know how well a mask will fit your face without trying it on, and of course it is then useless for anyone else to use.

There is a need for virtual simulation of face mask fitting, to allow you to try several virtual masks and understand how they fit you.

In this 6 month project we plan to develop a software-based 3D Face Mask Fitting Virtual Simulator. A tool that mask manufacturers, purchasing bodies, health professionals and consumers use to evaluate face masks on 3D scans of their or others faces.

We will make this simulation available in the cloud for easy access at a reasonable price.

The extension for impact funding will allow us to carry out accelerated trials to bring the impact of the face mask fitting forward. We are in discussion with a major hospital group to carry out a trial in January / February. We are also in discussion with other participants in this competition developing masks, to carry out trials with their products. These trails are only possible in the short term because of the extension for impact funding.