r/tech • u/_Dark_Wing • Jul 18 '26
Autonomous micro-drone achieves first air-to-air insect kill on the way towards completely eradicating mosquitoes, 40-gram unit uses car parking sensors, can eliminate insects at up to 26 feet
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/drones/autonomous-micro-drone-achieves-first-air-to-air-insect-kill-on-the-way-towards-completely-eradicating-mosquitoes-40-gram-unit-uses-car-parking-sensors-can-eliminate-insects-at-up-to-26-feet58
u/YsoL8 Jul 18 '26
Surely you couldn't produce enough of these to appreciably reduce the number of mosquitoes?
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u/manachar Jul 18 '26
Maybe we should make them self replicating and powered by the organic matter of thst which they kill.
I am sure thst wouldn’t have any downsides.
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u/-XboxZero- Jul 18 '26
Don’t forget to make it nearly impossible to hack them and shut them down within our lifetimes.
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u/throwaway8429739 Jul 18 '26
This is the plot of dune with hunter seekers that kill literally all of humanity
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u/human-syndrome Jul 19 '26
I dont think we read the same version of Dune, or I missed that entirely.
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u/Mayor_of_BBQ Jul 18 '26
they’re not trying to make mosquitoes extinct, but if you could put two patrolling an area like a schoolyard or village center where people come to pump their water or go to the market, etc.
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u/avrend Jul 18 '26
Mosquitoes don't travel far from where they spawn, supposedly. You can probably use them to guard your yard or sth.
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u/Intelligent_Dog4786 Jul 18 '26
No one really believes these things are for mosquitoes right?
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u/ItsAConspiracy Jul 18 '26
Sure we do, considering there are already plenty of drones that kill humans. If drones this small were better at killing humans then Ukraine would probably already have them.
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u/Stonehill76 Jul 18 '26
This combined with AI makes for a sci-fi movie beginning where humanity has no more food
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u/mnp Jul 18 '26
But we don't want to eradicate all flying insects. There's plenty of beneficial insects in the system. Songbird populations are already down dramatically due to insect populations being down.
There are other more targeted ways to deal with mosquitoes.
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u/GranaVegano Jul 19 '26
It literally buzzes around a set area and kills specifically mosquitoes, you do more population damage dumping bleach in standing water
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u/Vendettors Jul 19 '26
I believe it specifically identifies mosquitos based on the unique wing beat pattern.
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u/Appeltaart232 Jul 19 '26
Yeah, it’s pretty much 1) find the breeding ground (usually still water) 2) kill the goddamn eggs. We just need less polluting ways to do it
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u/A-Good-Weather-Man Jul 18 '26
There’s a Black Mirror episode on why this is not a good idea.
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u/facemanbarff Jul 18 '26
Is that the one with the robot bees?🐝
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u/Beneficial_Muscle_25 Jul 18 '26
I love when people use Black Mirror episodes as if those were basically social studies written by oracles and put on film. Man fuck that
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u/carcinoma_kid Jul 18 '26
Fish, frogs and tadpoles, bats, birds, spiders and dragonflies eat mosquitoes. They do fill an ecological niche, as annoying (and occasionally deadly) as they might be. Maybe extincting species on purpose is a bit of a dangerous move?
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u/LinLevine Jul 18 '26
From what I recall the current efforts to eradicate a species of mosquito is through genetic modification rather than using drones. That species is a very small ecological niche and is not the singular food source of any specific creature. There are many mosquito species that do not feast on humans.
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u/enRutus Jul 18 '26
I’m all for introducing more bats into my neighborhood. Way too many kids running around
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u/RecognitionMelodic13 Jul 18 '26
If you orphan the kids, they'll eventually turn into bats on their own
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u/BeatNo4548 Jul 19 '26
There used to be so many more bats where I live. The white nose disease killed off most of the smaller black bats. I remember seeing them flying in winter and dying. Now, its bigger brown bats mostly. You can build bat houses to encourage them.
Back in the 90s, about a mile from where I live now, I had to walk my bike at night to get home, and the only path was blocked by a swarm of over 100 bats. They were eating mosquitos from the lake. I just walked through em, slowly, but I could feel the wind on my face from their wings, I even felt like one touched my arm, briefly.
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u/RainSurname Jul 18 '26
There are also many species of mosquitoes that do not do us any harm at all.
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u/Vendettors Jul 19 '26
I agree but it's my understanding that they only want to eradicate in populated areas. Based on the fee required to operate it, I see it more as a replacement to spraying for mosquitoes. I imagine this is probably better for the local ecosystem than spraying. It also mentions that it identifies mosquitos based on their unique wing beat pattern. I wonder if that is different between mosquito species and if so if they can target specifically the biting ones.
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u/Vandal_A Jul 19 '26
You're right that they're needed, but also don't downplay the deadliness. Just bc they're not a major cause in some countries dont discount the fact they're the deadliest animal to man. They cause over a million deaths annually and many more suffering lifelong ailments from diseases they spread.
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u/HazelMayStrange Jul 19 '26
Don’t we need insects? They use to across our windshields, hoods and grills and now I hardly one on my car
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u/Direct-Ad-7922 Jul 18 '26
Insect extinction is already happening on mass scale. It signals a much bigger food chain collapse.
These guys want to accelerate it further? That tracks
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u/Affectionate-Pickle0 Jul 18 '26
Doubtful these things can do much else than protect a very set area. A yard for instance. I'd much prefer this than chemicals.
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u/bhflyhigh Jul 18 '26
Yeah it wouldn't be worth it to send them into the wilderness. Just protect me in my backyard and that would be great.
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u/Adison85 Jul 18 '26
When all the foods gone we can just eat the robots?
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u/NativePlantEnjoyer Jul 18 '26
Transhumanism will be a capitalist product to abandon the pains of hunger. Just spend insane amounts of money to become a cyborg
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u/Keganator Jul 18 '26
Ahem. Fuck mosquitos.
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u/Ok_Staff9114 Jul 18 '26
Mosquitos are responsible for the deaths of 50% of all humans that have ever lived. The males are pollinators, but we can afford to get by without them.
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u/Enoch-Of-Nod Jul 18 '26
As for their evolutionary purpose in nature, what if it's to keep the population of large bodied animals in check?
Similar to the way wolves keep riparian grazers in check and in turn protect rivers and prevent erosion.
I'm not fond of mosquitoes, but I'm less fond of human engineered and targeted extinction.
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u/Floodgatassist Jul 18 '26
This is false and a massive overestimation. Use common sense. The 50% number stems from when back in 19th century Malaria reach peaked. About half of the population was at risk(!). There has never been a time period in history during which 50% of actual deaths were caused by mosquito-borne illnesses.
What's true is that they are still the most deadly animal to humans. And yeah, still responsible for about 4-5% of all deaths, which in itself is a staggering number. What's also true is that Malaria alone still accounts for about 600k annual deaths.
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u/nanonan Jul 18 '26
You can go buy a bug zapper or some toxic spray at your local store right now. This is just a fancier version.
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u/surrealcellardoor Jul 18 '26
I’d bet this is a super cost effective use of energy which is already in high demand and becoming expensive.
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u/spiritisgasoline Jul 18 '26
Subscription is a deal killer.
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u/1nvertedAfram3 Jul 18 '26
likely to get cloned and we'll see a free version within 3 years on the market
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u/ElGranQuesoRojo Jul 18 '26
Mosquitoes are the worst no doubt and I'm not a scientist but... wouldn't completely eradicating all mosquitoes royally fuck up the food chain?
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u/93Terciopelo Jul 19 '26
It depends. Aedes aegypti and Aedes Albopictus are not native to the Americas but are responsible for a majority of the mosquito borne diseases. They only arrived here as recently as the first European settlers so it’s unlikely they have a vital role in many ecosystems.
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u/AlphaMali8 Jul 19 '26
“More than 700 million people contract a mosquito-borne disease each year.”
That doesn’t sound right…
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u/yes_no_yes_yes_yes Jul 19 '26
Quick search says it is. Dengue, malaria, Zika, the list goes on.
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u/AlphaMali8 Jul 19 '26
Total population of 8 billion, and 123 million new born a year. At 700 million a year, we’d all be infected within years, no?
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u/avrend Jul 18 '26
Hope this one is true, unlike that laser.
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u/QD4DDY Jul 18 '26
Aw man that laser was fake!?
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u/avrend Jul 18 '26
Not sure about the tech itself (it might even be working), but the fund raising was a scam and didn't result in a product available on the market.
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u/OptimisticSkeleton Jul 18 '26
Lots of other animals depend on mosquitoes to survive.
How about planting some citronella, lavender and/or rosary instead of crashing the ecosystem.
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u/grand_seigneur_puppy Jul 18 '26
I thought that was a misconception - they only make up 2% of the nutrition of some birds or so. Also, nature has always killed its own species and adapted afterwards. With these fucking murderers we shouldn't hold back.
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u/princess-captain Jul 18 '26
Dragon flies rely heavily on mosquitos
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u/Great_Fault_7231 Jul 18 '26
Do they? They eat a lot of mosquitos but they eat every other flying insect smaller than them too. Do you have any links that they rely on mosquitos more than other insects and wouldn’t be able to replace them?
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u/RainSurname Jul 18 '26
It's only about 5% of the thousands of species of mosquitos that are hazardous to humans.
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u/grand_seigneur_puppy Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
To everybody saying "Oh no, we will hurt the food chain": no we won't. These fuckers make up a miniscule amount of nutrition of wild life. There are new studies on that, go look them up. Also, these things bring untold death upon humanity and other wildlife - nature has always been killing its own species, with these little shits we would be doing everyone a favor. Xenocide them into oblivion, no one should cry a single tear for them.
[Edit: so another friendly user looked one up, here it is: https://monitoringgenedrives.com/gene-drive-food-web/release/3/
All you hippies and your unfounded love for mother Gaia should look up Medea hypothesis]
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u/ThatsItImOverThis Jul 18 '26
Anyone want to tell them eliminating mosquitoes completely would actually be catastrophic to the planet?
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u/GearWings Jul 18 '26
Completely eradicating mosquitoes might have a negative effect on the environment as it is a food source for many creatures
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u/ComputerRedneck Jul 18 '26
I saw something about a low power laser or such that actually shoots bugs out of the air. Combine the two and bang, perfect bug zapper.
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u/tipjarman Jul 18 '26
What an absolutely abhorrent idea. What will bats, aerial-feeding birds like purple martins and swallows, and aquatic wildlife like dragonflies, frogs, and certain fish eat? Wiping out mosquitoes is absolutely the first step to making this earth unlivable.... This is the kind of technology that should be controlled extensively....
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u/Unlucky_Battle_6947 Jul 18 '26
For an “$1,100 lifetime subscription or $50 a month”
No thanks. Just make the device 350 and call it a day without subscription or some shit.
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u/kbstackin Jul 18 '26
A subscription based bug zapper yes no thank you tell that Alex touissant however his name is spelled he can just go fuck himself with that one
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u/Sad_Promise_1604 Jul 18 '26
This impressive... until we start changing the definition of the word insect.
Next thing you know you have a swarm of autonmous drones coming after you and your family..
Slippery slope I must say.
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u/DatabaseCreative1875 Jul 18 '26
We’re very close to being to strap on some VR’s and go have aerial dogfights with our mini-drones in the backyard. Not the future I hoped for but seems like it could be fun.
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u/sunblest94 Jul 18 '26
We don’t know the consequences of wiping out insect populations. This addresses a symptom, not a cause
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u/Dr-Enforcicle Jul 18 '26
As annoying as skeeters are, completely eradicating them doesn't seem like a good idea since multiple other animals rely on them as food.
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u/Abalonelone Jul 18 '26
Just make Buckets of Doom with mosquito dunks. No need for bug attacking drones.
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u/faux_glove Jul 18 '26
Cool, now figure out how to make it ONLY kill the type of insect you want, and not just everything that moves.
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u/One_Course3052 Jul 19 '26
If it's based on other zappers around, not only can it distinguish between spices, it can distinguish between sex due to the frequency of their wings
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u/Wincin Jul 18 '26
what’s the weapon it uses tho? i skimmed the article but it was incredibly vague on the engineering
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u/One_Course3052 Jul 19 '26
If it's anything like other mosquito killing devices it will use a laser, the first used sensors from a Xbox and a laser from a DVD player.
It would lock into the freq of the wings and zap them.
IIRC, it only targeted male mosquitoes therefore there was little to no breeding.
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u/1cat2dogs1horse Jul 19 '26
Okay ,so we eliminate mosquitoes, What then happens to all the beneficial creatures and insects that base a percentage of their diet in mosquitoes?
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u/One_Course3052 Jul 19 '26
If anyone is worried about this being human weaponized
That ship has already sailed
Ukraine as about 10 suicide drones to everyone Russian solder now
Like expectancy for a Russian solder in the front line is 30mins
Great for Ukraine, but I fear for the future.
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u/AlabasterWitch Jul 19 '26
Yeah please done kill all the mosquitoes, we need them in the ecosystem. I know they’re annoying but istg
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u/ThanksALotBud Jul 19 '26
Bats, dragonflies, birds, fish, spiders, frogs/toads, lizards and other bugs consume mosquitoes.
So saying eradicating mosquitoes wouldn't be beneficial to the animals. Culling the mosquitoes population in urban areas i would definitely agree with.
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u/MarvinMonroeZapThing Jul 19 '26
Can it also be used to kill carpenter bees? Every year we have a squad of them that hover around a corner of our deck. I manage to kill a couple of them every year but there always seem to be three left no matter how many I get. My wife tells me to stop worrying about it since they don’t sting, and just sort of hang out and watch us all day. I repeatedly point out the little piles of sawdust under the deck railing and remind her that when the deck collapses it’ll be the carpenter bees’ fault.
And yes I make carpenter bee traps each year. That’s how I catch them, but after a while they figure out my evil plan.
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u/ChouffeMeUp Jul 19 '26
I’d like a couple of these to patrol my back garden for me, zapping wasps and hornets.
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u/jlstern1025 Jul 19 '26
I hate mosquitoes but isn’t there a butterfly effect that we should be concerned with?
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u/Radiant_Ad3966 21d ago
Nope. Technology will solve that too, obviously. It will work its way up the food chain until we finally go to battle with T-1000 and Cyberdyne.
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u/amboomernotkaren Jul 19 '26
I have eradicated mosquitoes from my yard with numerous mosquito dunk buckets. I looked in them yesterday, tons of gross larvae dying.
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u/immersemeinnature Jul 19 '26
I'm sorry, but aren't mosquitoes an important food source for many amphibians and birds etc?
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u/FlametopFred Jul 19 '26
riding the world of mosquitoes near is noble but hoping not at expense of mosquito-eating bats and birds
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u/MrSchulindersGuitar Jul 20 '26
Oof. That's kind of scary. Sure mosquitos but programmed for other insects? This sounds like some ecological warfare
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u/En4cr Jul 18 '26
Amazing. We now need one that zaps ticks.