Startup Offers High-Tech Bug Zapper
A new Chinese startup is taking the traditional bug zapper and giving it a high-tech makeover, hoping that consumers in the U.S. will spend nearly $1,000 on a machine that targets mosquitoes using lasers.
Photon Matrix is launching an indoor version of its laser mosquito defense system for around $988, while the outdoor variant, which features a blue laser, starts at about $1,088. According to the company, this device employs lidar, radar, and AI technology to accurately identify mosquitoes before it strikes with a precise laser beam.
The outdoor model is intended for use on patios, at campsites, or during outdoor meals. Promotional videos showcase the device shooting out bright blue beams to hit flying pests.
Photon Matrix highlights that its outdoor unit can scan a field of 20 feet in a 90-degree area, capable of detecting insects as tiny as 2 millimeters and moving at speeds up to 3.3 feet per second. A rotating base allows the device to provide 360-degree coverage, and it can operate for about four to five hours when connected to a power bank.
The system works by measuring distance to its surroundings and only targets insects that fit the profile of a mosquito, ensuring other bugs are overlooked.
The startup claims that the laser can disable a mosquito’s wings and can differentiate between mosquitoes and other flying insects, like butterflies. It also features an automatic shut-off when it can’t detect a solid background nearby.
For indoor settings, the model uses infrared detection and a laser that’s invisible to human eyes, catering to bedrooms, hotels, and similar environments. The outdoor version, meanwhile, visibly indicates when it fires with its blue flash.
Photon Matrix promotes a chemical-free operation, comes with app controls, and includes a 12-month warranty, claiming it to be safe for pets and children—though, naturally, these claims are based on the company’s own assurances.
Online, it’s drawing comparisons to futuristic weaponry. One user referred to it as an “Iron Dome for mosquitoes,” while another praised its ability to lock onto a mosquito in just three milliseconds before firing a shot.
This new technology arrives as California experiences a notable spike in West Nile virus cases, the highest it has seen in five years. As of late August, the state reported 46 human cases spread across 14 counties.
Health officials noted that four fatalities related to the West Nile virus have been reported this year, alongside numerous positive mosquito samples and other counts of infected wildlife.
According to the CDC, while most individuals infected with West Nile virus show little to no symptoms, about 20% may experience fever, headaches, and other mild ailments. Serious neurological issues occur in fewer than 1% of cases, with older adults and those with weakened immune systems facing the highest risk.
To help control mosquito populations, public health officials recommend eliminating standing water in various outdoor containers, as well as trimming back overgrown plants around homes.
