#Japan #Tokyo #DGDV #Tornyol #Micro-drone

Introduction

DG Daiwa Ventures (DGDV), based in Shibuya, Tokyo, recently announced its investment in Tornyol, Inc., a pioneering firm committed to solving the long-standing public health issue of mosquito-borne diseases. The investment was made through the renowned startup accelerator Y Combinator. Tornyol's innovative micro-drone system aims to provide an effective and environmentally friendly method for mosquito control, a challenge that has plagued humanity for centuries.

The Mosquito Problem

Throughout history, mosquitoes have been significant vectors of serious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus, posing substantial public health threats. Approximately 4 billion people globally are at risk of dengue alone. Traditional methods of pest control, such as spraying insecticides, not only carry a high environmental cost but often lack efficiency and cost-effectiveness, leading to the urgent need for alternative solutions.

The Tornyol Micro-drone System

Tornyol offers an autonomous micro-drone system that patrols homes and designated areas 24/7, physically engaging and destroying mosquitoes. Utilizing low-cost commercial components, such as microphones and sensors commonly found in smartphones and parking assistance technologies, Tornyol has transformed a lightweight 40-gram drone into a high-performance mosquito extermination device. The system is designed with the philosophy of "Set it and forget it;" users do not need to manually replace or charge the batteries. Instead, the drones autonomously eliminate mosquitoes and return to their base station for recharging, guaranteeing a mosquito-free environment without human intervention.

Advanced Technology in Action

One of Tornyol's standout features is its proprietary technology capable of real-time analysis of micro-Doppler signatures generated by mosquito wingbeats. This technology allows the drones to accurately detect the species and location of the mosquitoes. Upon identifying a target, the drone rapidly approaches, executing a controlled algorithm to crush the mosquito using its propellers. For those curious about its functionality, a demonstration video is available on their website.

Cost-Effective Pest Control Solution

The founder of Tornyol brings a unique background, having previously worked in missile guidance and control technology at MBDA, a European defense company. This experience has equipped Tornyol with advanced hardware control knowledge, allowing the system to potentially eradicate mosquito populations in up to 1 square kilometer using merely ten drones. Additionally, this technology could reduce extermination costs to one-hundredth of existing approaches, making it an economically viable solution for public health systems worldwide.

Future Prospects

Currently, Tornyol has begun pre-orders targeting early adopters in the United States. Future plans include collaborations with government agencies and NGOs to implement their technology in malaria-endemic regions, showcasing Tornyol's commitment to expanding its impact beyond consumer markets.

For Pre-order Information: Visitors interested in pre-ordering can find more information on Tornyol's website. Japanese inquiries are also welcome via the DGDV inquiry page.

About DGDV

DGDV is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm focused on investing in seed and early-stage startups. Through collaborative investments and co-hosting events, DGDV maintains strong connections with top global investors in North America and beyond. The firm is dedicated to fostering cutting-edge technologies across various domains, including AI, security, deep tech, fintech, climate tech, and robotics. DGDV aims to bridge gaps within Japan and the global landscape, transforming the startup ecosystem through its investment in startups challenging the status quo of innovation.

To learn more about DGDV, visit their website: DGDV.