Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA
SmartSpray – Smart sprayer for digital spray data and performance recording
In short
The smart spraying device developed in the project optimizes the spraying process for malaria control. Until now, disease control officers have recorded data manually, which is prone to errors. The new solution uses sensors and an app for digital data collection. The results can also be used for other areas.
In detail
The current situation in malaria control is characterized by manual and error-prone processes. Disease control officers and spray operators rely on handwritten documentation when spraying insect repellents in residential buildings. This method often leads to transcription errors, as the documentation is done manually and the data has to be entered into computers afterwards. This inefficient approach hinders the planning of future operations and can reduce the effectiveness of malaria control. In addition, the rising number of malaria cases worldwide is a cause for concern, which underlines the need for action.
In collaboration with the company Mesto Spritzenfabrik Ernst Stockburger GmbH, the goal of improving the manual method of data collection during disease control was achieved by developing a smart sprayer. The Fraunhofer IPA research team contributed its expertise in intelligent manufacturing and interaction systems to develop an effective and user-friendly system.
The developed smart sprayer enables the digital recording and evaluation of spraying and performance data. The integration of suitable sensors and electronics into portable sprayers creates a smart system that makes the spraying process more effective, efficient and ecological. The collected data is transferred directly to a cloud via a data transfer system. The overall system is rounded off by a user-friendly interaction system that serves as an interface between the user and the system. On the one hand, this project simplifies the error-prone and time-consuming documentation of spray data. On the other hand, the collection and evaluation of spray data generates feedback that sustainably improves the spraying process.
The underlying use case for smart, portable sprayers in this project is the fight against malaria using insecticides. However, the results of the project are also transferable to various application scenarios, such as plant protection or pest control. The technology could therefore contribute to improving efficiency not only in the fight against malaria, but also in various other areas.
