Latest news with #JimWong
Fast Company
14-07-2025
- Science
- Fast Company
This ‘Iron Dome' for mosquitoes shoots down bugs with lasers
You can now order an 'Iron Dome' for mosquitoes. Its name is the Photon Matrix, a black box about the size of a smartphone that can detect, track, and eliminate mosquitoes mid-flight using an AI -guided laser system. According to its inventor, it can identify and zap up to 30 mosquitoes per second with calibrated laser pulses that will disintegrate these potentially lethal—and always annoying—flying pests without harming people or pets. Just looking at the video of it in action makes me laugh like a supervillain. Chinese engineer Jim Wong built a working prototype that can 'effectively identify and strike mosquitoes with a flight speed of no more than 1 meter per second and a characteristic size of 2 to 20 millimeters,' according to his Indiegogo crowdfunding page and the viral videos on TikTok and Instagram. The device can also target other flying insects within that range, like sand flies and fruit flies—basically anything small, slow, and infuriating that you may want to vaporize. The timing couldn't be better. Due to climate change, virus-carrying species like those that transmit Zika and dengue are creeping into nontropical latitudes. The United States, Europe, and other areas outside of the tropics are facing a growing threat. Take Europe: In 2024, the hottest year on record, the European Union documented more than 300 autochthonous dengue cases —acquired within European territory—surpassing the 275 cases recorded during the previous 15 years combined. The tiger mosquito, which transmits dengue and Zika, has already established itself in 13 EU countries. And optimal temperatures for these bugs to thrive—between 75 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit—are becoming increasingly common during European summers. Pew, pew, pew—you're dead The idea of using laser beams to destroy mosquitoes dates back to 2007, during a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation brainstorming session on eliminating malaria. That's when astrophysicist Lowell Wood—one of the architects of Reagan's 'Star Wars' Strategic Defense Initiative— proposed a laser system not to stop the Soviet Union from nuking the U.S., but to defend humans against mosquitoes. Many tried to fulfill Wood's idea, but Wong's project might be the first to achieve an affordable commercial solution (though at this first stage, each Photon Matrix costs nearly $500). The key that makes the device work lies in current hardware capabilities and computer vision's ability to quickly recognize objects. The system, Wong explains, identifies targets through movement pattern analysis, distinguishing between mosquitoes and similar pixel signals like dust or sensor noise. Here is how it works: The insect dome uses a light-detection-and-ranging (LiDAR) module that fires thousands of laser pulses that bounce off any solid object, creating a real-time 3D map of its surroundings. When they hit something airborne, the photons bounce back, and the system detects how long it takes for the light to return. When it spots a mosquito, the system calculates its distance, orientation, and body size in just three milliseconds, Wong claims, marking the target for destruction. At that moment, a second laser fires, this one capable of instantly hitting the mosquito with a pulse that's lethal to the bug but harmless to humans. Right now, the technology only works with insects flying slower than 1 meter per second—a speed that includes mosquitoes (which fly between 0.6 and 0.9 mph) and some small flies like sand flies and fruit flies, but excludes much faster houseflies. The Photon Matrix also employs millimeter-wave radar to constantly scan its field of view for larger objects. If it detects people or pets, the laser won't fire. When an object significantly larger than a mosquito enters the detection range, the system can quickly and precisely identify it and refrain from laser activation, Wong says. He claims that this prototype not only effectively eliminates mosquitoes using laser technology, but also prioritizes safety as its core feature. The design incorporates 'mandatory safety certification requirements'—though it doesn't specify which standards it meets or whether they're Chinese or international. The basic version offers a 90-degree surveillance and elimination range, with a 10-foot reach. The professional version extends that range to 20 feet. Both models can operate in completely dark rooms and can withstand water immersion up to 5 feet for 30 minutes, thanks to their IP68 (dust-tight and waterproof) certification. The system draws power from wall outlets using a USB adapter or from portable batteries that provide between eight and 16 hours of autonomy, depending on the model. The laser system isn't perfect. The Photon Matrix's limited range means it can't protect extensive areas like large patios or public spaces. Its effectiveness also decreases with rain, which can interfere with optical sensors. World war against mosquitoes The Photon Matrix is just the latest invention that is trying to defend humans against mosquitoes. Other people have been trying to find solutions for ages, most of them using genetic modifications to stop their reproduction. Some scientists also went low-cost, like with ' ovillantas,' a term combining the words 'ovi' (a prefix in biology for 'egg') with 'llantas' (Spanish for 'tires'). Developed by Canadian chemistry professor Gérard Ulíbarri of Laurentian University in Ontario, this device exploits mosquitoes' strange attraction to old tires. Ulíbarri discovered that these insects are attracted to some chemical compound in rubber that drives them to lay eggs inside the hollow interior of tires. In fact, scientists have determined that this type of 'nest' can produce up to one-third of all mosquitoes in an area. The traps are built inside a section of a tire that's fitted with a drainage valve at the bottom. Next, it's filled with water and pieces of paper that float like 'landing strips' for mosquitoes—on which they lay their eggs in the stagnant water. The water is drained once or twice a week and filtered through a cloth to remove the larvae. That filtered water preserves the pheromones carried by the eggs and is reused, indicating to other mosquitoes that this is a good place to lay more eggs. Results from the pilot project in the Guatemalan town of Sayaxché were promising: Ovillantas destroyed seven times more mosquitoes than traditional traps, eliminating nearly 18,000 larvae per month. In fact, the project claims no new dengue cases were recorded in the area—where normally there would be two or three dozen cases a month. Ulíbarri estimates that two ovillantas per acre are sufficient to impact a local mosquito population, although 'the more you have, the better,' he says. Perhaps in the future, scientists and engineers will come up with a 100% effective solution. But for now, the ideal approach is combining multiple systems—home laser beams, reproductive traps, epidemiological surveillance, repellents, and physical barriers like netting—which can provide a layered defense against a present and growing threat. Multilayered defense Neither ovillantas nor this domestic 'Iron Dome' can completely eliminate the threat of mosquitoes, although plenty of people seem swayed by the latter. The crowdfunding campaign seeks $20,000—which it has far exceeded, at more than $758,000 right now—with a presale pricing of $497 for the basic version and $598 for the professional model. (The usual Indiegogo/Kickstarter 'might never reach market' caveat applies.) Wong acknowledges that price is the system's biggest problem. The production and selling costs of this product are relatively high, he says, and the only way to solve it is by manufacturing scale. He says that third parties have already approached him to build the Photon Matrix in large numbers. The big question is, of course: Will it really work? If the videos are true, then one day we could see them at much lower prices. Let's hope it all goes well. Not only because these viruses could soon become endemic—but also because I want to sit in my garden on a hot summer night and watch hundreds of these insects go down in flames after saying, 'You may fire when ready,' in my best Peter Cushing voice (from Star Wars: A New Hope).
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
World's first portable mosquito ‘air defence' blasts biters with lasers to neutralise them on its own, inventor claims
A MOSQUITO-busting laser that can supposedly kill up to 30 mozzies a second has been proposed by a Chinese firm. The gadget, called Photon Matrix, is claimed to be able to detect the mosquito, as well as its angle and size, within just three milliseconds. Advertisement 4 A mosquito from the side on a white surface Credit: Getty As soon as the mosquito is detected, a second laser beam is fired to kill it. The laser will allegedly scan its surroundings to avoid firing at larger objects such as people and pets. However, it is still a prototype - so it is unclear if it can really do the job just yet. The company expects to make its first deliveries of the product in October this year. Advertisement READ MORE ON TECH Although major production is forecast to begin by March 2026. According to its inventor, Jim Wong from Changzhou, China, it is a 'prototype of the first mosquito air defence system capable of identifying and neutralizing mosquitoes using high-specification LiDAR technology.' Photon Matrix can detect objects that are flying at a top speed of 3.3 feet (one meter) per second. That parameter is good news for house flies, which will only be fatally hit by it if they are flying really slowly. Advertisement Most read in Tech 4 bitten-worlds-first-portable-mosquito-1008450849 Credit: Photon Matrix Mosquitoes, however, typically fly at a much slower pace than house flies. So it weeds out the nasty critters, without taking out harmless house flies. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' To this end, Wong says the mini laser weapon will not harm humans or pets, and is safe for use indoors. Advertisement Wong is raising money for the project on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, and the campaign has already met the its initial goal, M osquitoes are responsible for over 700,000 deaths annual due to the diseases they spread - including Malaria , Dengue, Chikungunya , and Encephalitis. According to the Indiegogo page for the device, the basic edition of Photon Matrix has a waterproof design and can be installed easily. This leaves it best placed to sit by water, which tends to attract mosquitoes - especially in summer. Advertisement It can also be powered by a simple power bank or through a portable power station, according to the listing. The compact device on display is said to have a range of 9.84 feet (3 meters) for the basic version. However, the pro version can detect mozzies up to 19.6 feet (6 meters) away, according to the inventor. Both the basic and pro versions have a scan angle of 90 degrees. Advertisement While the basic version is on offer for $468 (£345), the pro version is available for $668 (£492) - though these are early bird prices. 4 Man while applying insect repellent on his hand. Prevention against mosquito bite in tropical destination. Credit: Getty 4 Dengue fever vector, mosquito biting hand. Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
World's first portable mosquito ‘air defence' blasts biters with lasers to neutralise them on its own, inventor claims
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MOSQUITO-busting laser that can supposedly kill up to 30 mozzies a second has been proposed by a Chinese firm. The gadget, called Photon Matrix, is claimed to be able to detect the mosquito, as well as its angle and size, within just three milliseconds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A mosquito from the side on a white surface Credit: Getty As soon as the mosquito is detected, a second laser beam is fired to kill it. The laser will allegedly scan its surroundings to avoid firing at larger objects such as people and pets. However, it is still a prototype - so it is unclear if it can really do the job just yet. The company expects to make its first deliveries of the product in October this year. READ MORE ON TECH HOT CAR HAZARDS 7 common items Brits should never leave inside a hot car Although major production is forecast to begin by March 2026. According to its inventor, Jim Wong from Changzhou, China, it is a 'prototype of the first mosquito air defence system capable of identifying and neutralizing mosquitoes using high-specification LiDAR technology.' Photon Matrix can detect objects that are flying at a top speed of 3.3 feet (one meter) per second. That parameter is good news for house flies, which will only be fatally hit by it if they are flying really slowly. 4 bitten-worlds-first-portable-mosquito-1008450849 Credit: Photon Matrix Mosquitoes, however, typically fly at a much slower pace than house flies. So it weeds out the nasty critters, without taking out harmless house flies. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' To this end, Wong says the mini laser weapon will not harm humans or pets, and is safe for use indoors. Wong is raising money for the project on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, and the campaign has already met the its initial goal, Interesting Engineering reported. Mosquitoes are responsible for over 700,000 deaths annual due to the diseases they spread - including Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Encephalitis. According to the Indiegogo page for the device, the basic edition of Photon Matrix has a waterproof design and can be installed easily. This leaves it best placed to sit by water, which tends to attract mosquitoes - especially in summer. It can also be powered by a simple power bank or through a portable power station, according to the listing. The compact device on display is said to have a range of 9.84 feet (3 meters) for the basic version. However, the pro version can detect mozzies up to 19.6 feet (6 meters) away, according to the inventor. Both the basic and pro versions have a scan angle of 90 degrees. While the basic version is on offer for $468 (£345), the pro version is available for $668 (£492) - though these are early bird prices. 4 Man while applying insect repellent on his hand. Prevention against mosquito bite in tropical destination. Credit: Getty
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Science
- The Sun
World's first portable mosquito ‘air defence' blasts biters with lasers to neutralise them on its own, inventor claims
A MOSQUITO-busting laser that can supposedly kill up to 30 mozzies a second has been proposed by a Chinese firm. The gadget, called Photon Matrix, is claimed to be able to detect the mosquito, as well as its angle and size, within just three milliseconds. As soon as the mosquito is detected, a second laser beam is fired to kill it. The laser will allegedly scan its surroundings to avoid firing at larger objects such as people and pets. However, it is still a prototype - so it is unclear if it can really do the job just yet. The company expects to make its first deliveries of the product in October this year. Although major production is forecast to begin by March 2026. According to its inventor, Jim Wong from Changzhou, China, it is a 'prototype of the first mosquito air defence system capable of identifying and neutralizing mosquitoes using high-specification LiDAR technology.' Photon Matrix can detect objects that are flying at a top speed of 3.3 feet (one meter) per second. That parameter is good news for house flies, which will only be fatally hit by it if they are flying really slowly. 4 Mosquitoes, however, typically fly at a much slower pace than house flies. So it weeds out the nasty critters, without taking out harmless house flies. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' To this end, Wong says the mini laser weapon will not harm humans or pets, and is safe for use indoors. Wong is raising money for the project on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, and the campaign has already met the its initial goal, Interesting Engineering reported. Mosquitoes are responsible for over 700,000 deaths annual due to the diseases they spread - including Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Encephalitis. According to the Indiegogo page for the device, the basic edition of Photon Matrix has a waterproof design and can be installed easily. This leaves it best placed to sit by water, which tends to attract mosquitoes - especially in summer. It can also be powered by a simple power bank or through a portable power station, according to the listing. The compact device on display is said to have a range of 9.84 feet (3 meters) for the basic version. However, the pro version can detect mozzies up to 19.6 feet (6 meters) away, according to the inventor. Both the basic and pro versions have a scan angle of 90 degrees. While the basic version is on offer for $468 (£345), the pro version is available for $668 (£492) - though these are early bird prices. 4 4
Tom's Guide
06-07-2025
- Science
- Tom's Guide
This mosquito vaporizing gadget tracks and takes down summer pests with LiDAR-guided lasers in up to 6-meter kill zone
This LiDAR-guided mosquito air defense system may seem like overkill, but with how annoying those little bloodsuckers can be during the summer, you won't catch me complaining. That's the pitch behind the 'World's First Portable Mosquito Air Defense,' dubbed the Photonmatrix, a crowdfunded gadget from Changzhou, China. It uses a LiDAR scanner to track any mosquito buzzing in a 6m (19.7 ft) radius and zaps them with a galvanometer-directed laser before they can bite. The Photonmatrix can be powered by a smartphone power bank for up to 16 hours and even works in the dark. According to its IndieGogo campaign page, the Photonmatrix can seek and destroy up to 30 mosquitoes per second. The campaign's picked up steam in recent weeks (as more people start taking advantage of the warmer weather), raising over $400,000 in crowdfunding on an initial $19,874 goal. A video demonstration of the Photonmatrix has gone viral on TikTok as well. You can check it out below. It's satisfying to watch mosquitoes disappear in a puff of smoke as the Photonmatrix seeks and destroys. Like schadenfreude for anyone who's scratched themselves bloody from mosquito bites before. Mosquito Air Defense/part 2 The pint-size kill dome relies on LiDAR, the same laser ranging technology that guides self-driving car, to scan the air with one laser to detect mosquitoes. Once spotted, a second laser, steered by a galvanometer mirror, shoots them out of the air like a heat-seeking bug zapper. Creator Jim Wong compares it to a sort of air defense battery for mosquitoes. Wong's mosquito-neutralizing gadget comes in two editions: the Basic model with a smaller active radius of 3m (9.8ft) max and the Pro edition with a 6m (19.7 ft) kill zone. But a skeeter defense matrix comes with a pretty hefty price tag. The basic Photonmatrix will set you back $498, while the Photonmatrix Pro is $698. That being said, there are still available rewards for Basic-Earlybird backers, which can save you $40 off the Basic price. Once the crowdfunding campaign is over, the price of the Basic and Pro products will rise to $698 and $898, respectively, according to the campaign's page. All told, the Photon Matrix looks like an ideal solution for tropical nights or camping trips. With the six-meter range on the Pro model, that's enough to keep a patio or the inside of a tent mosquito-free. If the technology performs as advertised, it could be a stress-free alternative to nets in sprays in areas where mosquitoes transmit serious illnesses like malaria. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. That's all on paper, however. Turning a prototype into a reliable, widely available product is rarely straightforward. Even assuming the Photon Matrix works, important questions still remain, like whether its lasers could unintentionally hurt other insects or hold up to real-world conditions. As with any crowdfunded gadget, especially one promising something that seems almost too good to be true, a healthy dose of skepticism is wise. Still, it does sound impressive.
