To address the need for a novel self-propelled tick collection device that is capable of operating in diverse habitats under various environmental conditions, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) has designed and built a new Multifunctional Automated Tick-Collection Rover (MATR) prototype that can be automated or remotely operated to deploy compartment traps and drag flags to collect non-questing and questing ticks, respectively. In Phase I, POC developed the initial MATR concept design and built a reduced-functional prototype. This prototype includes the MATR all-terrain vehicle platform, a flag cassette, numerous pitfall traps, and the controller software for mission planning. The prototype successfully self-navigated through a predefined course, and deployed flags for continuous sampling. It can remain stationary for point sampling, use 2.2-kg of dry ice to produce >8-hr of CO2, operate continuously for >1-hr, and weighs approximately 44-lb. The Phase I development has led to a MATR design that will be further improved in Phase II and built into a fully functional rugged prototype weighing approximately 30-lb for effective autonomous tick surveillance. The fabricated prototype will be tested in both laboratory and field environments for efficacy in collecting medically important ticks such as Dermacentor variabilis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes scapularis, and Dermacentor marginatus.
