Mask On, Please!

The Project

Indeed, my codes are Scratch codes. However, I did not use the original Scratch website, instead I used a Scratch GitHub called PRG AI Blocks, so I wasn't able to get a link for my codes. As a result, I had to categorize my project as Web, not Scratch. Project Summary: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world divided between people who wear masks and people who wear no masks. As we all know, to ensure safety for ourselves and for everyone else, we should wear masks. So, I thought it would be helpful to design a systematic mask detection software that could recognize a person's face and detect whether he/she has a mask on or not. By regulating people to wear masks, the potential risk of spreading COVID-19 could decrease, and people could live in a safer environment. I used the Teachable Machine Website and PRG AI Blocks Scratch Platform to develop this software. By uploading multiple samples/pictures of each category, Mask On, No Mask, and False Mask, I trained my laptop camera to distinguish the mask-on face from the no-mask face and the false-mask face. Once I've made sure that the camera worked as planned, I copied my project from the Teachable Machine website to the PRG AI Blocks Scratch website to create an actual code for real-life applications such as sliding doors and red/green messages. As I experimented with the software, I found that it will work the best when the background is clean and not messy. Additionally, I tested the software on myself and also on my family to ensure that it works on other people. To conclude, I think the systematic mask detection software will help slow down the spread of COVID-19 in public. Inspiration: I was initially introduced to the rough-draft idea of a project related to AI Programming for mask detection by my Computer Science teacher. And then, as I proceeded with more in depth research, I found out about the conflicts people were having regarding the safety procedures and mask requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees of many stores and public services, especially small local stores, were challenged and stressed out by customers (who don't have respiratory problems) who'd refuse to wear masks and even harass them. These unfortunate incidents were brought up to attention in many news, and my parents had been talking about these unruly and disrespectful behaviors even before I had the idea of AI-derived mask detection project. Since these public problems were impacting our daily lives, I decided that I'd like to do a project related to improving and enhancing the safety protocols in public areas with the use of technology. When people don't wear masks, there is a high risk of spreading the COVID-19 viruses, and in order to minimize the risk, it is best for everyone to be responsible and follow the safety procedures (13 U.S. states had made it mandatory to wearing masks).

View this project on YouTube