Voice assistants can help with many things in life, but you’d never guess that they can help with repelling insects. According to The Verge, a company called ThermaCell has a line of smart mosquito repellent systems called Liv. These devices can tap into Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa to function.
The Liv smart mosquito repellent system can use Google Assistant
There are plenty of ways to keep mosquitoes from ruining your late-night barbecue. There are screens, bug zappers, and those smelly sprays. However, a company called ThermaCell has a method that will appeal to tech lovers.
The company has a line of mosquito repellent systems known as “Liv.” These are devices that you plant into the ground, and they repel the mass majority of mosquitoes that venture your way. They do so in a way that’s not intrusive or odorous.
You can buy either a pack of three, four, or five Liv units to cover up to 1,600 square feet. That should cover a lot of ground from personal get-togethers to large outdoor events.
How do these work?
The ThermaCell Liv system uses a certain molecule that naturally repels mosquitoes. This molecule is metofluthrin, and it’s modeled after a certain compound found in the chrysanthemum flower. This compound naturally repels most mosquitoes.
The units heat up a cartridge containing the compound and disperse it through the air. This compound is FDA-approved, and you can’t see or smell the vapor that’s produced. While this is good news, it won’t repel all mosquitoes that come your way. ThermaCell states that this system is 93% effective. Sure, that’s not 100%, but it’s still really helpful.
How do voice assistants fit in here?
The Liv system is ThermaCell’s first automated system of mosquito repellents. Liv units all connect to a central hub which itself connects to a power outlet. The hub then powers each of the units. The hub connects to a Wi-Fi connection, and you communicate to it via a phone app.
You can use Google Assistant or Alexa to communicate with the Liv system via a nest hub or Smart speaker. Instead of turning on the hub manually, you can use assistants to turn it on for you.
Not only can you tell the assistant to turn on the system, but you can also schedule when you want the system to turn on. The company recommends that you turn the system on 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Obviously, the larger the space, the longer it will take for the metofluthrin to fully cover the area.
A three-pack of the Liv mosquito smart repellents costs $699. That sounds pricey, but it becomes a better deal when you add more units. A four-pack costs $799, and a five-pack costs $899.
2022-03-02 15:06:22