The Problem

Category: Health

In urban Indian regions, mosquitoes pose a significant health concern as they carry diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya virus, and malaria.  People are seeking alternatives to using foul odored, toxic bug sprays.

The Tech

The multinational tech conglomerate LG has developed the “LG K7i: Mosquito Away” smartphone.

LG claims its new phone emits a noiseless, odorless ultrasonic sound wave that repels mosquitoes.  The tech has also appeared in other LG products, such as LG’s air conditioners.

While LG boasts that testing of the ultra sound repellent was successful 72% of the time, there are significant doubts as to the effectiveness of the technology.

Article Title: LG is releasing a mosquito-repellent phone, but it probably won’t work
Website: Ars Technica
Link: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/09/lg-is-releasing-a-mosquito-repellent-phone-but-it-probably-wont-work/

The Stakeholders Using The Tech

LG K7i users
People physically near LG K7i users
LG – testing/selling/monitoring use
Smartphone sale/repair shops

The First Three Steps

Despite the product already being in the market, there is still work to do as there are a lot of critics questioning the effectiveness of the mosquito repellent feature.  LG should: 1) conduct more repellent tests, 2) tweak the ultrasound tech to improve the repellent’s success rate, and 3) publish the results (assuming they’re positive) to instill greater confidence in the repellent.

 

UNI: gm2778

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Comment on Smart Recycling Bin

“Neat idea, but I’m curious about actual adoption as trash receptacles are probably already produced really cost efficiently. I’m assuming cameras and lights triple the cost. Perhaps sanitation (or whichever dept. this falls under) could offer subsidies, or rewards to owners if the smart bin improves accurate recycling by an agreed upon percentage.”