{"slug": "mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-swears-to-battle-rising-california-west-nile", "title": "Mosquito killer retailing for $988 swears to battle rising California West Nile threat", "summary": "Chinese startup Photon Matrix is selling an AI-powered mosquito killer, the Photon Matrix, for $988 (indoor) and $1,088 (outdoor), which uses LiDAR, radar, and a precision blue laser to detect and zap mosquitoes, as California faces a five-year high of 30 human West Nile Virus cases reported by the California Department of Public Health as of August 14.", "body_md": "# Mosquito killer retailing for $988 swears to battle rising California West Nile threat\n\nSee more of our coverage in your search results.\n\n[Add The California Post on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=nypost.com)\n\nAs [West Nile Virus](https://nypost.com/2026/08/03/health/first-california-west-nile-virus-death-of-2026-reported-in-kings-county/) creeps into California, a new AI-powered mosquito killer could be just what Californians need to protect them from the [world’s deadliest ](https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/health/brain-swelling-disease-carried-by-mosquitos-is-surging-with-highest-numbers-so-far-in-22-years/)creature.\n\nThe [Photon Matrix](https://photonmatrixlab.com/) is a high-tech zapper combines futuristic light detection and ranging technology (LiDAR), radar, with AI directing a precision laser to detect mosquitoes and zap them dead with a blue laser.\n\nIt’s been dubbed “an Iron Dome for mosquitoes” by one robotics [commentator on X](https://x.com/ritwikpavan/status/2092837549115064708?s=20).\n\nAccording to the Chinese start-up, the device is designed to target multiple kinds of mosquitoes, but avoids other flying insects like butterflies.\n\nWarmer temperatures have increased the mosquito population and lengthened mosquito season in recent years. Earlier this month, the second Californian this year died from West Nile Virus, a deadly mosquito-borne disease.\n\nAs of August 14, the California Department of Public Health has reported 30 human cases of the disease, a five-year high.\n\nThe virus produces no symptoms in 80% of cases, but in severe ones, those infected may experience fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, joint pain, confusion, and altered consciousness.\n\nPhoton Matrix’s device can reportedly detect and kill insects as small as 2mm flying at speeds of up to 3.3 feet per second.\n\n“Our intelligent mosquito air defense system is powered by LiDAR detection and targeting technology,” the company said on its website. “By combining AI vision, real-time tracking and precision laser elimination, it creates a smarter and chemical-free solution for physical mosquito control.”\n\nThe device’s LiDAR scanner has a target range of 20 feet, and its zaps are “quieter than a whisper,” according to the company.\n\nThe company is also selling an indoor version of the device, which uses infrared detection and a laser invisible to the human eye.\n\nVideos of the outdoor version show the device putting on a light show when activated, zapping mosquitoes with its bright blue lasers.\n\nThe outdoor version is available for $1,088, while the indoor version retails for $988.\n\n**Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters **\n\n**California Post News**: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheCaliforniaPost/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/californiapost), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@CaliforniaPost), [X](https://x.com/californiapost), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@thecaliforniapost), [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6a2IV1NCrL6q2AWq0E), [LinkedIn](http://linkedin.com/company/californiapost)**California Post Sports** [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/capostsports/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/capostsports/?hl=en), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@capostsports), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@CaliforniaPostSports), [X](https://x.com/capostsports)**California Post **[Opinion](https://x.com/californiapost) **California Post Newsletters**: [Sign up here!](https://email.nypost.com/#california-post)** California Post App**: [Download here!](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/california-post/id6751343487)** Home delivery**: [Sign up here!](https://subscribe.californiapost.com/defaultCAP)** Page Six Hollywood**: [Sign up here!](https://pagesix.com/hollywood-signup/)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-swears-to-battle-rising-california-west-nile", "canonical_source": "https://nypost.com/2026/08/27/tech/ai-mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-launches-as-west-nile-cases-rise/", "published_at": "2026-08-27 20:59:17+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-27 21:19:49.545157+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-products", "ai-tools", "robotics"], "entities": ["Photon Matrix", "California Department of Public Health", "West Nile Virus"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-swears-to-battle-rising-california-west-nile", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-swears-to-battle-rising-california-west-nile.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-swears-to-battle-rising-california-west-nile.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/mosquito-killer-retailing-for-988-swears-to-battle-rising-california-west-nile.jsonld"}}