Photon Matrix makes mini air defence system for taking out mosquitoes

Field testing footage has been taking the internet by storm

Rowan Dunne

Published

1 hour ago

Footage of a miniature air-defence spectacle with lasers sniping mosquitoes mid-air has lit up social media.

Photon Matrix, a Chinese firm, has now engineered a portable laser system that hunts mosquitoes across bedrooms, patios, gardens and fishing spots. The company recently secured US$2.7 million in crowdfunding to advance the device’s deployment.

It fuses LiDAR, millimetre-wave radar and an artificial intelligence vision module to detect insects measuring 2 to 20 millimetres. Within roughly three milliseconds it locks on and fires a precision laser pulse, claiming a kill rate of up to 30 mosquitoes per second inside a six-metre radius. The laser disables the wings rather than relying on chemicals, sprays or sticky traps. The system is designed never to target people or pets, only tiny bugs.

This chemical-free approach holds clear promise against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and Zika virus. Continuous, silent protection that works in darkness could reduce reliance on insecticides, cut chemical residues in homes and open possibilities for agricultural or warehouse pest management without environmental contamination.

Photon Matrix recently completed field testing on the gadget in a remote area of Xinjiang.

“The test demonstrated a different approach to mosquito control: one that does not rely on insecticide sprays or chemical repellents, produces no chemical-repellent odour during operation, and is designed for energy-efficient performance,” the startup said on social media last week.

Development status and caveats

The technology currently remains in the pre-order phase, but official store listings confirm that units will ship within 120 calendar days of payment. Mass production is under way and earliest deliveries are expected within the next couple of months. People are coughing up US$1,088 to get their hands on the first outdoor-tailored systems.

Infrared versions suit indoor use for invisible operation and blue-laser models provide a visible flash better suited to outdoor settings. Both consume under 20 Watts, run quietly and have eight-hour battery life.

Independent verification of the headline performance figures is still lacking though. The Class 4 (highest hazard category) laser sits safely enclosed behind several protective layers, but eye risks remain if the software fails or reflective surfaces get in the way.

The system also ignores faster insects such as houseflies, may struggle in cluttered spaces or bad weather, and real-world accuracy outside controlled demonstrations remains unproven. Production delays linked to sensor calibration and Western safety certifications have already stretched timelines, which is a common risk associated with potentially dangerous new devices like this.

A Chinese startup built an AI-powered laser system that kills mosquitoes mid-flight. 🦟

30 of them per second.

Photon Matrix Lab uses lidar & an AI vision module to detect a mosquito in the air & fire a high-energy pulse laser that disables it in 0.003 seconds.

It's… pic.twitter.com/CbgokBFG1S

— Russell Sean (@RussellQuantum) August 10, 2026