IK Sprayers
The Problem
The success of Malaria prevention through IRS depends entirely on the technical precision of the operator. If the insecticide is applied too quickly or from an incorrect distance, the concentration is insufficient to kill mosquitoes, rendering the treatment ineffective.
Zero Visibility
Supervisors have no way of knowing if a house was sprayed correctly until weeks later.
Wasted Resources
Inefficient application leads to the over-consumption of expensive chemicals or, worse, the need for re-spraying.
Training Gaps
Identifying which field workers need additional training is impossible without objective performance data.
The solution
An Intelligent Edge-to-Cloud IRS Ecosystem Biotz developed a three-tiered IoT architecture that transforms a manual sprayer into a precision instrument capable of real-time correction.
1. The Edge: Intelligent Hardware
We equipped the spray nozzle with ultrasonic/TOF sensors and accelerometers to measure distance sweep speed.
- Active Intervention (Phase 2): Unlike passive loggers, the hardware features integrated LEDs that provide instant feedback. A Green LED confirms optimal technique, while Red/Blinking alerts prompt the worker to adjust mid-spray.
2. The Gateway: Mobile integration
A dedicated mobile application connects to the hardware via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
- Store and Forward: Designed for remote regions, the app logs data locally when offline and syncs automatically once 4G or Wi-Fi is available.
3. The Analytics: Web Dashboard
The collected telemetry is processed into a high-level dashboard for supervisors.
- Heatmaps: Visualizing spray consistency across different regions.
- Compliance Metrics: Tracking "Distance Compliance" and "Velocity Consistency" to generate a Digital Certificate of Application for every wall treated.
The impact
From Reactive Monitoring to Proactive Prevention
By moving intelligence to the "Edge," Biotz elevated the standard for vector control operations guided by four key objectives:
- Real-time Error Corrections: Mistakes are prevented on-site, ensuring 100% of treated surfaces meet WHO lethal-dose standards.
- Optimized Chemical Utilization: Standardizing the application process reduces chemical waste, allowing NGOs to cover more households with the same budget.
- Accelerated Training: Training curves are significantly reduced as workers learn through immediate visual-haptic feedback, turning the tool itself into a teacher.
- Total Accountability: Provides donors and health ministries with verifiable, data-backed proof of impact.
