A promotional image of the Photon Matrix laser mosquito defense device. (Photo: Photon Matrix)
A Chinese-developed laser mosquito-control device has entered mass production, with the first batch of units expected to ship later this month, according to the latest update from its developer, Photon Matrix Lab, on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.
The portable device combines LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, AI-powered vision and a precision laser to detect and target mosquitoes and other small flying insects, according to the company.
Photon Matrix said in its latest Indiegogo update that mass production began in August. The company has also opened its official online store, allowing consumers to purchase its infrared and blue-laser versions directly.
The product's launch comes against the backdrop of a growing mosquito-control industry in China. According to Xinhua, Jinhua in Zhejiang Province exported more than 45 million yuan worth (about $6.7 million) of mosquito-repellent products in the first half of 2025, up 65.1% year on year.
Xinhua also cited industry estimates that China's mosquito-control market could grow from 7.86 billion yuan in 2025 to 12.43 billion yuan by 2030.
The demand is not limited to conventional products such as mosquito coils, electric vaporizers and insect traps. Chinese developers have also been experimenting with more automated approaches.
During the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, China Daily reported that an automated mosquito trapper was deployed in the Asian Games Village. The robot attracted mosquitoes by mimicking human body temperature and breathing, before trapping or eliminating them.
Another report on the Asian Games said smart mosquito-control robots used carbon dioxide and ultraviolet light to attract mosquitoes.
These approaches reflect different ways of applying technology to solving an old problem. Traditional products generally rely on chemicals, light or physical traps, while newer devices use sensors, computer vision, robotics and other automated systems.
Similar products are also appearing overseas. For example, Israeli company Bzigo has developed the Bzigo Iris, which uses computer vision and infrared sensing to detect mosquitoes and marks their locations with a low-intensity laser.
The device does not kill the mosquito itself; instead, it helps users locate it. Bzigo currently lists the Iris at $299 on its website.
Photon Matrix takes a different approach by using a laser as the final step to physically eliminate the detected target.
The two approaches also point to different consumer needs: one focuses on finding mosquitoes more efficiently, while the other seeks to automate the elimination process.
At the same time, the technology faces practical questions. Photon Matrix's advertised performance figures have not yet been fully verified by independent testing.
The company has said it will release further testing and safety information.
For consumers, factors such as effectiveness, safety, reliability and price will likely determine whether high-tech mosquito-control devices can move beyond niche products.
Photon Matrix's entry into mass production therefore adds a new technology-based option to an established mosquito-control market, rather than immediately replacing conventional methods.