Fight coronavirus on the dance floor in this futuristic suit

Coronavirus has put an end to concerts, raves, crowds and human contact in any traditional sense for the foreseeable future, but an LA-based “creative studio” is working on a fix intended to be as chic as it is protective -- the Micrashell.

It’s essentially a biohazard suit designed with clubbing in mind.

The Micrashell is air-tight and will cover the whole torso, including a clear helmet “made of tactical, high performance cut resistant fabric and developed for durability, endurance and easy disinfecting procedures,” according to the suit’s developer, Production Club.

“Micrashell was born as a socially responsible solution to safely allow people to interact in close proximity,” according to the company. “Specifically designed to satisfy the needs of nightlife, live events and entertainment industries, Micrashell is a virus-shielded, easy to control, fun to wear, disinfectable, fast to deploy personal protective equipment (PPE) that allows socializing without distancing.”

Other considerations, like the ability to use the restroom, and have sex, also factor heavily into its design, Miguel Risueño, the company’s head of inventions, told Billboard. ”

Since the Micrashell is still in development, there’s no estimate on a release date or price tag, but specifications currently available suggest it won’t be like any ordinary protective suit. Renderings promise a bright and lively color scheme, decorated with different ornaments, patterns and lights.

In addition to an air-filtration system designed following Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration guidelines, the wearer will be able to sync their phone with the suit, and adjust color and intensity of their Micrashell’s lights.

An integrated, adjustable sound system allows the wearer to hear the world around them, whether thumping synth or murmuring voices, the company says. And a wireless voice communication system lets them talk.

Perhaps most importantly to some, the user can vape and drink while wearing the suit, all without exposing themselves to the outside world and its contaminants, according to Production Club.

“We believe the future of events is not purely virtual or purely physical,” Risueño told Popular Mechanics. “We try to inspire people to think more and to think better.”

This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Fight coronavirus on the dance floor in this futuristic suit."