The coronavirus pandemic has inspired companies to consider ways to attain normalcy in a world of highly communicable disease. And one organization thinks it has solved the problem of mass entertainment gatherings.
Production Club, a creative studio in Los Angeles, has unveiled mock-ups of a futuristic suit called "Micrashell," which it claims would reduce the risk of viruses spreading in close quarters through its "filtration and breathing system."
Should the promise of the hazmat-like outfit come to fruition, perhaps sports fans could return to stadiums en masse, all while looking like radioactive spill responders. Just imagine: 30,000 people at a baseball stadium decked out in sci-fi garb.
Success seems unlikely, though, due to a potentially astronomical price point, suspect suit effectiveness and production limitations. Health experts are skeptical of Production Club's safety claims.
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Right now, Production Club is still figuring out how it would market the suit, and whether additional tweaks are necessary. That means it's nowhere near the stage of product rollout. Once that process is finalized, it's difficult to see how the company would scale up to a significant customer base at an affordable rate.
Still, there's a chance the idea inspires other tech innovators to take a stab at a protective suit lightweight enough for sports fans or concert goers to wear during a night out. Some of the features of the "Micrashell" suit are intriguing, even in non-pandemic circumstances. There's a built-in camera, internal speakers and drinking canisters located within the outfit that allow users to consume beverages without removing their face covering.
So, while it's unlikely we'll see a stadium full of people donning these clothing items anytime soon, it's possible that one day a company will follow through with aspects of the unusual plan.