It is called E2-Mask Z and uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to understand the expressions of happiness, sadness or anger of the users and then represent them through an anime avatar.

The Hirata Takegawa Laboratory at Future University Hakodate in Japan has created a digital mask with a screen that allows users to express emotions through an anime avatar.

The digital mask, which is called E2-Mask Z, uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to understand the expressions of happiness, sadness or anger of the users and then represent them through an anime avatar.

E2-Mask Z has a screen in which the anime character can be observed and underneath it has a transparent cloth through which users can see.

The facial expression system can measure facial expressions in 40 characteristic points distributed on the face and the model has achieved an average precision of 79 per cent when identifying the facial expressions of multiple users, as explained by its authors on the project website.

Experiments carried out by the researchers with the mask shows the real-time reactions of the avatars offer a “rapid response rate” and “a positive feeling of self-management and self-ownership” in people.