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Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

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Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#51

Post by wartijn_ »

reilly3000 wrote: post #50

I've heard enough parables to know how this will play out, if it does happen: lots of dead bugs on the ground, bugs that will feed another species in the food chain. The lack of mosquito population and reproduction will starve species that depend on them. That change in the dynamic will ultimately be worse for ag production... I'm all for reducing toxic chemicals from the food supply chain and this approach looks som…

It doesn't have to be used to kill all insects, just the few mosquitos that are in my bedroom when I try to sleep. I'll remove any dead mosquitos the next morning and probably won't really alter the ecosystem, while it can make sure I have a good night's sleep.

Edit: after re-reading the article I see the main subject is killing moths to improve agriculture, not mosquitos in my bedroom

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#52

Post by coryrc »

picture wrote: post #36
LeifCarrotson wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Realistic implementations use a cabinet with a generous intake and force air (and flying insects through into a controlled, confined space. After going around a corner or two, laser exposure issues are limited, and you can be close enough to aim effectively with limited optics.

Why not just use a mesh screen with a fan? Bugs generally don't fly with a lot of thrust to weight so they get trapped against the screen and die. I think NightHawkInLight has some videos about this on yt, though its definitely not some new idea.

Only want to kill mosquitoes.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#53

Post by coryrc »

stavros wrote: post #47
jjcm wrote: post #6

It says the prediction is accurate to 1.4cm, but it doesn’t say at what range. 1.4cm at 1km is great, but 1.4cm at 1m likely isn’t usable. I’m also curious what the failsafes are like for this - how will they prevent laser spillover or misfires from hitting eyes? Even if this is a 1 in a million chance, it likely isn’t worth it except in highly remote areas.

Why is 1.4cm at 1km great? You still missed, so it's terrible at any range.

Because that's only 1.4mm at 1m, which is very useful.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#54

Post by coryrc »

smiley1437 wrote: post #37

Intellectual Ventures made it seem promising enough in 2010, the slow-motion shootdowns are pretty amazing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKm8FolQ7jw Guess there were some obstacles that couldn't be overcome

Or they don't intend to actually help anyone, just patent troll.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#55

Post by stavros »

coryrc wrote: post #53
stavros wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is 1.4cm at 1km great? You still missed, so it's terrible at any range.

Because that's only 1.4mm at 1m, which is very useful.

It doesn't necessarily work like that, it might be 1.4cm across its entire range.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#56

Post by taneq »

jcims wrote: post #46
TacticalCoder wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been dreaming about that to kill mosquitoes since I was a teenager. Then I wondered: "how to prevent firing the laser into someone's eye?" and my idea was to only shoot laser from 2 meters high and to only ever shoot towards the ceiling, never downwards, while having the ceiling having some kind of paint/material that wouldn't be reflecting the laser too much. Make the paint/material all white to makes mosquito…

You might be able to create a vortex cannon with enough shear force to rip their wings off.

After abandoning the laser idea due to the aforementioned “fully automated blindness / house fire machine” issues, I’ve often idly wondered if you could use a phased array of small subwoofers to generate a precisely targeted region of extreme pressure drop. That way you could just instantaneously and explosively decompress the suckers in such a way that’s probably safe for mammals.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#57

Post by pmontra »

consp wrote: post #17

Ah yes, the "star wars laser defense mosquito system". It' as impractical then (early 00's origin) as it is now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGkPMZxWPpA&t=2s (it's Dutch but you get it). Unless you can get mm accuracy and perfect non-foe detection it's useless with the multi-watt lasers generally required.

It can kill anything that gets in my house and flies. All of them are foes. mm accuracy is another matter. Not blinding me is far more important.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#58

Post by pmontra »

wartijn_ wrote: post #51
reilly3000 wrote: post #50

I've heard enough parables to know how this will play out, if it does happen: lots of dead bugs on the ground, bugs that will feed another species in the food chain. The lack of mosquito population and reproduction will starve species that depend on them. That change in the dynamic will ultimately be worse for ag production... I'm all for reducing toxic chemicals from the food supply chain and this approach looks som…

It doesn't have to be used to kill all insects, just the few mosquitos that are in my bedroom when I try to sleep. I'll remove any dead mosquitos the next morning and probably won't really alter the ecosystem, while it can make sure I have a good night's sleep. Edit: after re-reading the article I see the main subject is killing moths to improve agriculture, not mosquitos in my bedroom

You should buy an electric mosquito racket. Basically any standing mosquito is a dead mosquito because you move the racket over the mosquito, the bug gets scared and flies into the racket, game over. The only problems left are those invisible mosquitoes that manage to hide and fly only when the lights go off. Notwithstanding that a racket greatly improves the quality of life.

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#59

Post by _dain_ »

taneq wrote: post #56
jcims wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might be able to create a vortex cannon with enough shear force to rip their wings off.

After abandoning the laser idea due to the aforementioned “fully automated blindness / house fire machine” issues, I’ve often idly wondered if you could use a phased array of small subwoofers to generate a precisely targeted region of extreme pressure drop. That way you could just instantaneously and explosively decompress the suckers in such a way that’s probably safe for mammals.

Couldn't that damage the eardrums of someone who stood in the wrong spot?

Re: Predict 3D position of flying bugs and pest to shoot down them with a laser

#60

Post by feupan »

dumbfoundded wrote: post #45
TacticalCoder wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been dreaming about that to kill mosquitoes since I was a teenager. Then I wondered: "how to prevent firing the laser into someone's eye?" and my idea was to only shoot laser from 2 meters high and to only ever shoot towards the ceiling, never downwards, while having the ceiling having some kind of paint/material that wouldn't be reflecting the laser too much. Make the paint/material all white to makes mosquito…

We use lasers in lots of consumer products, we don't really have any with exposed lasers. You just can't guarantee that someone doesn't flip a quarter and blind themselves. It's a cool idea but pretty impossible to be safe.

I think the chances of a quarter’s reflection aligning to your eye while the laser is on and pointing at it are pretty damn slim. If that’s still too high, you better eliminate all corners in your kitchen because someone is going to lose an eye. And don’t get me started on forks.
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