A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

The Smart Cambridge Mask takes clean air to the next level. Today we bring you the world’s first pollution mask that can actively monitor the air quality around you and tell you when to change mask filter. It’s perfect for cyclists, urban residents or anyone worried about polluted air.

The smart valve and your phone connects via bluetooth

93% of us are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution on a daily basis. We want to help. For the last two years we have been working on disrupting the respirator (mask) industry. Now, with the help of Y Combinator’s Fellowship Programme, we have been able to file patent, develop final prototype and source production to bring this project to life.

Our current mask filters particulate pollution such as diesel emissions, gas pollution like petrol fumes and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.

Our mask is close to perfect, but we knew it was possible to do more by adding sensors to the mask itself. With the addition of a Bluetooth low energy chip in the mask valve, we can now answer key questions we always get asked: How do I know when I should be wearing a mask? How long does the mask last for? Does wearing a mask affect my breathing? The circular valve of the mask can be removed, and replaced with the SmartValve which quickly and easily clicks into place.

With the Cambridge Mask app, we help you check ambient air quality using a mix of open source and government data, provided via AirVisual. Then, using your height, weight, age and gender, we can calculate lung capacity and cross reference this with breathing patterns using the sensors in the SmartValve. This data means we can give filter expiration level as well as advise when you should wear a mask.

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The new Smart Cambridge Mask will be available globally from October 2017. We have a great range of rewards for our backers, including the chance to design your own mask pattern from scratch.

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I believe everyone should be able to get out and enjoy life, without having to worry about bad air or the way they look. That's why we have developed a high function, high fashion mask that gives you the best chance of reparatory health.

After seeing children in China suffering the long term health effects of air pollution, it became clear how important helping to solve the challenge was. My long term dream is to play a part in ending man-made air pollution for good. Until then, we need the best possible pollution masks to ensure a happy and healthy tomorrow. That's why Cambridge Mask Co exists.

Cambridge Mask Co was founded by Christopher Dobbing, a graduate of Cambridge University. After moving to China in 2012 to work as an education consultant he noticed how many students were developing serious breathing issues – some younger children even coloured the sky in grey instead of blue when drawing pictures. After researching journals and data around air quality, Christopher realised the global scale and severity of the issue – for him one of the greatest challenges to public health in our age. Cambridge Mask was born in 2015 and today has offices in Cambridge (UK), Hong Kong and Beijing and sells to clients including British Airways, Intel and United Family Hospital Group.

We believe in helping people get outdoors and enjoy life, without having to worry about the air they breathe or the way they look. With the Smart Cambridge Mask we bring that one step closer.