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Scientists at Scottish university Heriot-Watt have created a bug-zapping machine which can detect cockroaches and other insects.
The machine, developed by head researcher Ildar Rakhmatulin, uses powerful computers and machine learning which automatically kills unwanted creepy crawlies.
Rakhmatulin told VICE: “I started using a Jetson Nano – a small computer that learns algorithms – that allowed me to use deep learning technologies with higher accuracy to detect an object,”
READ MORE: Man's 'blocked ear' turns out to have massive cockroach hiding inside
The computer uses two cameras to find the cockroach’s position before sending the information to another machine that measures electric current which moves a laser to shoot the target.
The laser was used at different levels of power.
When it was at a lower level, the team found the shock deterred cockroaches from going into a certain area with hopes that in the future it could be used to ensure certain spaces are always bug free.
At the higher level of power, the critters would unsurprisingly perish.
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Rakhmatulin has made all the data and instructions available for free and says anyone can try it out themselves as long as they take "proper precautions".
“I use very cheap hardware and cheap technology and it’s open source,” Rakhmatulin said.
Since its release, he says other people have begun trying it out with other unwanted guests such as hornets.
Amazingly, this brand new tech is extremely affordable, with each unit costing around $250 while being more portable than currently available pest controlling devices.
The breakthrough could be help provide a much more efficient alternative to mechanical traps and could help end the use of bug killing chemicals which can be harmful to the environment and often kill non-pest insects.
Despite the promise, the team say the machine should not be used at home yet.
“It’s not recommended because it’s a little dangerous. Lasers can damage not only cockroaches but your eyes,” Rakhmatulin said.
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