Photon Matrix shows an AI laser device that targets mosquitoes

In short: Chinese startup Photon Matrix has shown a mosquito control device that tracks insects and uses a laser to damage their wings, and it comes with safety concerns.

What happened

Photon Matrix, a startup in China, has introduced what it calls an “intelligent laser mosquito defense system.” The device uses sensors to follow mosquitoes while they fly, then fires a laser to burn and damage their wings.

Reports said the price is about $1,000. The company says it is seeking regulatory approval in China, Europe, and the United States, and that approval was still pending at the time of the report.

A key concern is the type of laser. The device uses a Class 4 laser, which is the highest power category and can damage the retina (the light sensitive layer at the back of your eye) in under a second.

Photon Matrix says it has safety steps to reduce risk. It says an AI camera system can recognize people and pets and avoid shooting near them, it tries to avoid reflective surfaces (like a mirror that could bounce light), and it uses radar to monitor the laser path. It also says each laser pulse lasts about one hundredth of a second.

The report notes that these steps may lower the risk, but they cannot fully remove the chance of eye injury. The company also says buyers must pass a safety test and register a fingerprint before the device can be activated.

Why it matters

This is an example of AI being used in everyday home devices, not just on phones and computers. But it also shows a basic tradeoff, adding automation can make tools more powerful, and it can also make safety and oversight more important, especially when the tool is a high powered laser.

Source: NYTimes