If mosquitoes are your biggest concern when out fishing or camping, an individual known as Jim Wong has you covered. No, it’s not a portable net; it’s a bug air defense system straight out of a sci-fi flick, called Photonmatrix. Now, to be clear, while I’m excited about this high-tech mosquito-zapping system, I reserve the right to be skeptical. So no, I’m not vouching for this crowdfunding project on Indiegogo. I am just letting you know that it exists.
And yes, it is something money can buy—but before you go ga-ga over this mosquito terminator, you should know it doesn’t come cheap. It starts at US$497. And that’s during the crowdfunding period. This piece of tech has an eventual retail price of a whopping US$697.
So, what exactly does the Photonmatrix do? Well, it detects mosquitoes in flight using built-in LiDAR and zaps them out of the air using lasers. The system can identify bugs between 2–20 mm in size and fly at up to 1 meter per second. Once it confirms the size and position—which, according to the video, takes just 0.003 seconds—a “pulsed cold laser tech” is fired to eliminate the bug.
What this means is, the device doesn’t just work for mosquitoes; it can take out any similarly sized, slow-flying insect. However, it may not be effective against faster flyers like houseflies. The creator also claims the system won’t harm humans, pets, or birds. According to the campaign video, the system is capable of making 50,000 scans per second in search of flying bugs, and it has a range up to 6 meters (19.6 feet).
While I remain skeptical, I did see a DIY example online some years ago that purportedly worked. So… maybe this really does too? I don’t know. I’ll leave you to be the judge of that. Meanwhile, you can dive into more details over at Photonmatrix’s Indiegogo campaign, where you can secure a basic unit for US$497.
It looks like there are many folks who are hell-bent on destroying mozzies. The campaign, which went live recently, has already pulled in over half a million in funding from nearly 1,000 backers. Impressive. All that’s left is for the campaign to end and the pledges to be fulfilled.
Disclaimer: We’re highlighting this crowdfunding campaign for informational purposes only. Please note that backing any crowdfunded project comes with risks—there’s no guarantee of delivery, timelines may slip, and outcomes can vary. Always do your research and only pledge if you’re comfortable with the uncertainty.
Images: Indiegogo.