New AI-powered mosquito trap could help curb dengue outbreaks

USF startup Digitomy has developed an AI-powered mosquito trap that identified mosquito species with over 98% accuracy in laboratory testing, using cameras and a database of mosquito images to detect species, gender and blood-feeding status. The technology, created by Associate Professor Ryan Carney and Professor Sriram Chellappan with NSF support since 2018, pairs cloud computing and a mapping dashboard to help public health officials track disease-carrying mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti. The team is preparing field validation with Hillsborough County and working with USF Technology Transfer to license the system to trap manufacturers.