Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have emerged as a game-changer in the battle against dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes, as highlighted in a recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Led by Wei-Liang Liu from the Taiwan National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center and his team, the study reveals the potential of UGVs to identify and eradicate mosquito breeding sources in urban areas.

Figure 1. Robotic vehicles fight mosquitos.

Figure 1 shows Robotic vehicles fight dengue-carrying mosquitos in Taiwan sewers. Dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, poses a significant threat along with other mosquito-borne illnesses such as chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Rapid urbanization has transformed sewers into prime breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, presenting a challenge for traditional mosquito monitoring programs in accurately assessing mosquito density in these concealed locations.

To tackle this problem, researchers devised an innovative solution combining a crawling robot, wire-controlled cable car, and a real-time monitoring system to create a comprehensive UGV system. This system allows for high-resolution, real-time imaging of sewer areas. From May to August 2018, the UGV system was deployed in five administrative districts in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan, focusing on covered roadside sewer ditches suspected to be mosquito hotspots. Mosquito gravitraps were strategically placed above the sewers to gauge the impact of UGV interventions on adult mosquito populations in the area.

The results were promising, with traces of Aedes mosquitoes found in various stages from larvae to adult in 20.7% of inspected sewers. Upon detecting positive cases, targeted preventive control measures were promptly implemented, employing insecticides or high-temperature water jets. The immediate outcome of these interventions was a significant drop in the gravitrap index (GI)—a measure of nearby adult mosquito density—from 0.62 to 0.19.

"The widespread utilization of UGVs holds tremendous potential in eliminating mosquito breeding sources, thus curbing the annual prevalence of dengue fever in Kaohsiung city," emphasize the authors.

Source: EurekAlert

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), Robotic Warriors Unleashed to Combat Dengue Menace in Taiwan's Sewers, AnaTechmaz, 311