Laser-equipped mosquito hunter opens for preorder at $1,088

A backyard mosquito-control device that targets insects with a laser is now available for preorder, according to New Atlas. The Photon Matrix Blue Laser Mosquito Air Defense is designed for outdoor settings such as gardens, campsites and outdoor dining areas. Its detection system combines LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar and AI vision to identify mosquitoes, then uses an internal positioning system to aim a blue laser at them. Photon Matrix says the outdoor model can detect insects as small as 2 millimeters flying at speeds of up to 1 meter per second. The device is intended to distinguish mosquitoes from other flying insects, including butterflies. Its LiDAR scanner reportedly covers a six-meter range in a 90-degree fan-shaped field. The outdoor package includes a rotating base that allows the unit to turn through 360 degrees, expanding the area it can scan. A 20,000-mAh power bank provides about four hours of continuous operation when the device is not connected to an outlet, the company says. An accompanying app displays a mosquito heat map, data analysis and a record of reported kills. It also includes a global ranking system, allowing users to compare their results, and provides controls for adjusting the scanning range and angle or scheduling operating times. The blue laser is intended partly to create a visible light display, according to the report. Photon Matrix describes the system as a chemical-free method of physically controlling mosquitoes. New Atlas noted that it had not yet seen the machine operate. Photon Matrix is also offering an indoor version. That model uses infrared detection and a laser that is invisible to the human eye, while the company says both versions operate more quietly than a whisper. The outdoor model is listed at US$1,088, reduced from $1,288, while the indoor unit is priced at $988, down from $1,188. The company offers a 12-month warranty and free shipping, with shipping regions and estimated delivery times listed on its website.