Solar-Powered Device Combats Dengue Fever

In areas of Peru that are the worst affected by the epidemic, 80% of the population face water scarcity, meaning clean water must be collected from tankers in uncovered plastic containers that provide the ideal environment for mosquito reproduction. In response – commissioned by Peruvian insecticide manufacturer Sapolio – VML worked with researchers and developers from Peru’s most prestigious universities to conceive a device that prevents water stagnation.

Taking inspiration from Sapolio’s mascot, the small plastic device is shaped like a toad that swims through bodies of water with the help of motorised paddles. The motor of the autonomous Guardian Toad is powered by a solar cell – eliminating the need for batteries or electrical charging – that keeps its blades in constant motion as it paddles around the container it has been placed in. This continuous movement keeps the surface of the water moving, discouraging mosquitoes from laying eggs.

In a world with an increasingly unpredictable climate, water scarcity and extreme weather, with populations – especially in the global south – at higher risk of both dengue and malaria, devices like The Guardian Toad offer a simple and effective solution. Read more in our cross-industry Macro Trend report Solutions for the New Climate Era. For further insights on water management, see Product Design: Solutions for the New Climate Era.