a trap for fighting infectious diseases

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Microsoft has launched the Premonition project to combat the spread of infectious diseases like Zika through technology. The company has just revealed one of its prototypes, a trap, able to block a mosquito carrying danger. Other insects could pass them without problem.

A trap capable of sorting insects

A smart trap for mosquitoes. We are very far from Grandma's methods to block mosquitoes on the terrace in the summer. Microsoft's ambitious project could save thousands of lives.

"The trap works like a real biologist on the ground. He is able to choose which insects he wants to capture " explains Ethan Jackson, the head of the Microsoft research team. Among the diseases targeted by this smart trap, we find Zika or even malaria.

The trap consists of 64 cells with infrared light. When a mosquito goes into its field of action, a print output related to the species appears. If it is "Aedes aegypti", the main bearer of Zika, he is then captured. It is then analyzed to see if it is infected or not.

The effectiveness of the project remains to be proven once deployed on a large scale since it is still only tests. But it has the advantage of being rather economical. UA classic trap can today cost up to $ 350 and those of Microsoft should not cost more. In a Review conducted last summer in Texas, he was able to accurately identify over 90% of the insects that passed nearby.

Mosquito versus high-tech

This is not the first time that smart health connected objects are imagined as a solution to fight against mosquito-borne diseases. In February 2016, faced with the spread of the Zika epidemic, scientists had developed a wearable. OFF! Clip-On sold for 10 euros in pharmacies, was to repel mosquitoes. For this, he sent vapors of the repellent product through the bracelet and a small integrated battery fan. A cloud of product was formed around the person, protecting it from mosquito attacks.

In addition, Microsoft had already launched a project to fight against malaria in 2015. It was also part of "Premonition". The idea? , a drone with robotic traps should be created to track down these insects, capture them and take a blood sample.

And if you are a fan of more "radical" solutions, then a Chinese company probably has what you need. She has developed a robot with a tank design, able to kill mosquitoes with a … laser beam. Designed to help schools with malaria, no release date is yet planned.

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