LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — $1 million is up for grabs for anyone who can design a mask that addresses the most common reasons why people say they do not wear one.
RELATED: Nevada among top states for people refusing to wear masks, defying mask mandates
The nonprofit organization XPRIZE, which hosts competitions as a way to crowdsource solutions to some of the world's most compelling problems, opened registration to its global Next-Gen Mask Challenge this week.
According to its website, XPRIZE conducted a survey asking people what barriers prevent them from wearing masks. The winning mask must address 5 of the top 10 reasons reported in the survey.
Change the face of face masks. Win the $1M XPRIZE Next-Gen Mask Challenge.
👉 Open to innovators ages 15-24: https://t.co/s1vOgbsYRv#maskchallenge #milliondollarmask #productdesign #pandemic #coronavirus #covid19 pic.twitter.com/ZncLbvmBVb
— XPRIZE (@xprize) July 14, 2020
The XPRIZE survey shows these are the top 10 reasons people reported not wearing a mask:
- Too hot on my face
- Fog my glasses
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncomfortable
- Difficult to have a conversation
- Can’t exercise in them
- Don’t fit my face properly
- Can’t eat or drink while wearing them
- People can’t see my facial expressions
- Difficult to acquire
A $500,000 grand prize will be awarded to the winning team. Two other teams have a shot at splitting an additional $500,000.
RELATED: Bill Nye takes to TikTok to demonstrate why you should be wearing a face mask in public
The competition is open to anyone between the ages of 15-24.
To learn more or to register visit XPRIZE.org.
