#farmwise

[blogchaindeveloper]

Impact of AI on Environmental Conservation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a disruptive force influencing many businesses in a world where technology is constantly changing. Sustainability in the environment is expected to this trend. AI is a crucial instrument with many advantages, from increasing productivity to stimulating creativity. But enormous power also comes with immense responsibility. Thus, managing the possible dangers and difficulties AI poses is essential to guaranteeing its moral and responsible application.

AI Enhances Environmental Preservation in 8 Ways

Efficiency of Energy

The predictive powers of AI help improve energy efficiency. AI reduces waste by examining usage trends and optimizing consumption. For example, Google's DeepMind has effectively optimized data center cooling systems using AI, reducing energy use and carbon emissions. Tesla optimizes driving patterns in electric vehicles by utilizing AI-driven autonomous features, which lowers emissions and increases energy economy.

Sustainable Energy

AI is essential to renewable energy. It supports the development of energy sources like wind and solar power by forecasting energy output, maximizing performance, and enhancing maintenance. With sensors and algorithms that anticipate variations in wind conditions, GE Renewable Energy uses artificial intelligence (AI) in wind turbines. This promotes the expansion of renewable energy sources and guarantees maximum efficiency.

Intelligent Grids

Another area where AI shines is developing more innovative energy systems. By analyzing data from multiple sources, such as sensors and meters, utilities can more effectively regulate the supply and demand for power. For example, Microsoft employs AI to increase data center energy efficiency, supporting its ambitious environmental targets to become carbon-negative by 2030.

Agriculture That Is Sustainable

Sustainable agricultural methods make use of AI's analytical power. AI assists farmers in optimizing productivity while minimizing the use of hazardous chemicals by evaluating soil data, forecasting crop yields, and detecting pest outbreaks. Farmwise promotes sustainable farming methods by using AI-powered robots to detect and eradicate weeds accurately.

Management of Waste

AI has a significant positive impact on trash management. By evaluating data on trash generation, collection, and disposal, AI aids in waste management system optimization, waste reduction, and increased recycling rates. Waste Robotics, for instance, improves recycling efficiency by sorting and separating recyclable items using AI-powered robots.

Management of Water

AI analyzes water availability, quality, and usage data for water management. This helps towns and municipalities improve water quality, cut waste, and manage water resources more effectively. Projects like Ocean Cleanup use AI-powered systems to monitor and gather plastic debris in the ocean to help clean up marine habitats.

Changes in Climate

AI is a valuable tool in combating climate change because it can evaluate data on weather patterns, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental concerns. For example, IBM's Watson helps in climate modeling and weather forecasting, which helps to understand and predict the effects of climate change and weather patterns.

Preservation of Biodiversity

AI examines data on species populations, habitats, and dangers to conserve biodiversity. Conservation International uses sophisticated algorithms to evaluate biodiversity data to preserve and safeguard vital natural areas.

AI and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which the UN endorsed in 2015, are perfectly compatible with AI. AI's efficiency, waste reduction, and innovation promotion can help achieve these aims, which center on eradicating poverty, safeguarding the environment, and guaranteeing prosperity for all. 

AI can be crucial to accomplishing several objectives, including lowering poverty, fostering economic growth, and expanding access to healthcare and education. Additionally, it helps achieve environmental goals, including reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring that natural resources are used sustainably.

AI must be adopted carefully to avoid detrimental effects on sustainable development. Essential components of responsible AI deployment include privacy protection, ethical and accountable AI use, and ensuring benefits reach everyone, particularly underserved communities.

AI's Eight Sustainability Risks

Energy Use

AI systems add to greenhouse gas emissions since they require a lot of energy to operate and train their models. To avoid rising energy use and emissions, it becomes imperative to strike a balance between the development of AI and environmental sustainability.

Electronic waste

AI hardware and components must be designed for longevity, repairability, and recycling because their development and use can increase electronic waste.

Discrimination and Bias

AI programs that are taught on skewed or insufficient data have the potential to reinforce prejudice and discrimination, which exacerbates social inequality and environmental injustice.

Security and Privacy

If personal data is not handled correctly, AI systems' reliance on it may jeopardize people's security and privacy, which could affect the welfare of society and the environment.

Displacement of Jobs

AI adoption can potentially have detrimental societal and economic effects by displacing jobs, especially in sectors like manufacturing and transportation.

Reliance on technology

The growing use of AI raises the possibility of being unduly reliant on technology, which could impede social contact and prevent people from interacting with the natural world.

Verifying the Future: Using AI Expertise to Manage Technology and Sustainability

Getting the proper accreditation has become crucial for professionals trying to negotiate the nexus of sustainability and technology in the ever-changing technological landscape. An AI certification is helpful in this situation. It demonstrates a dedication to ethical and sustainable AI practices and validates one's competence with AI technologies. 

A cybersecurity certification further strengthens the skill set, highlighting the importance of securing AI systems and user data. Having an AI developer certification is becoming increasingly advantageous as businesses place a higher priority on morally and ecologically responsible AI applications. Employers and other stakeholders are reassured by this certification that candidates have the know-how to develop and apply AI solutions, emphasizing social justice, sustainability, and equity. 

Upskilling in AI is crucial to staying relevant in this fast-paced industry, and a rapid engineering course designed for AI professionals provides a convenient way to acquire the latest know-how. 

This course covers the complexities of AI chatbot development, guaranteeing that students keep up with emerging technologies and thoroughly understand responsible AI use. A person's commitment to managing the opportunities and difficulties posed by AI and helping to create a technologically sophisticated and environmentally sustainable future is thus demonstrated by their AI specialist certification.

Findings: Opening the Path for Conscientious AI Adoption

To address these issues, it is essential to develop and use AI technologies ethically, emphasizing sustainability, equity, and the welfare of the environment and society. Funding for research and development becomes crucial to lessen AI's adverse effects on the environment. Both diversity and inclusion should be prioritized while developing AI systems to ensure that users with a range of backgrounds and skill levels may access them. Furthermore, maintaining public confidence in AI systems depends on protecting security and privacy.

Organizations must ensure decision-makers understand AI's advantages and disadvantages in sustainability plans to implement successful actions. This understanding must affect all levels, including CEOs, managers, and staff members, who are crucial to the smooth integration of sustainability into day-to-day operations. Organizations can foster a culture focused on ethical AI use by providing training programs to raise knowledge of sustainability issues. The organization and society benefit from this culture's combined emphasis on sustainability and accountability.

Ultimately, it is up to those who value sustainability and social responsibility to steer the powerful instrument of artificial intelligence. By incorporating these principles into the creation and application of AI technologies, we can make sure that they help create a future that is both sustainable and just for all.

Blockchain Council provides a platform of knowledge and training for anyone looking to advance their skills and appropriately handle the complexity of AI.  The primary goal of the Blockchain Council, an official association of subject matter experts and enthusiasts, is to promote blockchain research and development, use cases, and solutions for a better world. They offer AI prompt engineer certification, which gives professionals a quick and easy way to learn the newest techniques and information in AI development. Acknowledging the significance of responsible AI use, these courses support sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility, helping to create a future where technology is not only state-of-the-art but also considerate of its effects on society.

[ajitsuranase]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmwise-innovators/

[creativeera]

ISOBUS Terminal Market is Set to Thrive on Precision Farming boom

The ISOBUS Terminal Market provides vital solutions for real-time monitoring, data capturing, and telemetry needs of precision farming applications. ISOBUS terminals allow farmers to control various agricultural equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and fertilizer spreaders directly from the cab through a single display with simple user interfaces. These terminals are retrofitable with existing machinery and allow compatibility with implements from different OEMs, thereby driving their adoption.

The Global ISOBUS Terminal Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,593.7 Mn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 10% over the forecast period 2024 To 2031. Key Takeaways Key players operating in the ISOBUS Terminal market are Trimble, Topcon, Raven Industries, KUBOTA, Teletrac Navman, AGCO, Aagland, Lely, AgJunction, Robert Bosch, AgLeader Technology, AgEagle, DICKEY John, CLAAS, CNH Industrial, BouMatic, Hexagon Agriculture, Farmers Edge, Autonomous Tractor Company, Deere & Company. The growing demand for automation and data-driven field management solutions from the agriculture industry is one of the major factors driving the growth of the ISOBUS Terminal market. Farmers are increasingly adopting precision farming techniques to improve field efficiency and maximize crop yields. This has fueled the need for user-friendly farm control interfaces such as ISOBUS terminals. Global players in the ISOBUS Terminal Market Growth are focused on strategic acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen their presence across key agricultural markets. For instance, in 2022, Robert Bosch Venture Capital led a $20 million funding round in FarmWise to support the development of its AI-powered field operation solutions. Such initiatives are helping expand the customer base for ISOBUS Terminals internationally. Market Key Trends Precision agriculture is becoming mainstream with the availability of easy-to-use farm management technologies. One of the major trends in the ISOBUS Terminal market is the growing demand for multilingual support terminals that can be used across geographies. ISOBUS Terminal Companies manufacturers are focusing on providing customizable user interfaces that allow displaying instructions and capturing field data in local languages. This helps remove adoption barriers and further propels the global expansion of the ISOBUS Terminal industry.

Porter’s Analysis

Threat of new entrants: Low cost of entering the ISOBUS terminal market due to standardized communication protocols and components. However, established players have strong brand recognition and distribution networks. Bargaining power of buyers: High as buyers have numerous options to choose from and can negotiate on price and features. This impacts profit margins of suppliers. Bargaining power of suppliers: Moderate as suppliers have to compete intensely on quality, technology and price. Buyers can switch to alternate suppliers in case of dissatisfaction. Threat of new substitutes: Low as ISOBUS terminals have no close substitutes and have become essential for modern farming equipment. Competitive rivalry: High among major players like Trimble, Topcon to gain market share through innovative products and service support. Small players focus on specific customer segments and geographic regions. Europe accounts for the largest share of the global ISOBUS terminal market in terms of value. The growth can be attributed to presence of major agricultural equipment manufacturers in countries like Germany, France, and U.K. Early adoption of modern farming techniques and government initiatives to promote precision agriculture drive the demand. The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. Rapid mechanization of farms especially in India and China coupled with rising disposable incomes increases sales. Supportive policies and increasing awareness about farm automation solutions influence new purchases. Geographical Regions Europe accounts for the largest share of the global ISOBUS terminal market in terms of value. The growth can be attributed to presence of major agricultural equipment manufacturers in countries like Germany, France, and U.K. Early adoption of modern farming techniques and government initiatives to promote precision agriculture drive the demand. The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. Rapid mechanization of farms especially in India and China coupled with rising disposable incomes increases sales. Supportive policies and increasing awareness about farm automation solutions influence new purchases.

Get more insights on ISOBUS Terminal Market

Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups.

(LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaagisha-singh-8080b91)

[agrinextcon]

Agri tech Startups: Pioneering Innovation in the Agriculture Sector

Introduction

The agriculture sector is undergoing a technological revolution, led  by innovative startups utilizing cutting-edge technologies to address longstanding challenges and transform farming practices. These agtech startups are at the forefront of this revolution, introducing solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. By integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, these companies are paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future in agriculture. In this blog, we explore some of the leading agtech startups and their groundbreaking contributions to the industry, showcasing real-world examples of how they are driving innovation and making a significant impact on modern farming.

What is Agtech?

Agtech, or agricultural technology, includes  a wide range of technologies and innovations aimed at improving the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of agricultural practices. It includes advancements in areas such as precision farming, biotechnology, digital agriculture, automation, and data analytics. These technologies are transforming traditional farming methods, making them more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to the challenges posed by climate change and a growing global population.

Precision Farming: The Future of Agriculture

Precision farming, also known as precision agriculture, is an innovative approach to farming that uses advanced technology to increase crop yields, reduce waste, and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Agtech startups are leading the charge in this field, utilizing cutting-edge technologies like:

Drones: Equipped with high-resolution cameras, drones capture detailed images of crops, allowing farmers to detect issues like pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies early on.

Satellite Imaging: Satellites in orbit around the Earth provide high-resolution images of fields, enabling farmers to monitor crop health, growth, and development.

Sensors: Soil sensors, weather stations, and other IoT devices provide real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, and other environmental factors.

Startups like:

John Deere's FarmSight: Offers a suite of precision farming tools, including drones, satellite imaging, and sensors.

Granular: Provides a farm management software platform that integrates data from various sources to optimize crop yields and reduce waste.

FarmWise: Develops autonomous farming equipment, including tractors and drones, to streamline farming operations.

These precision farming innovations enable farmers to make data-driven decisions, reducing guesswork and improving overall efficiency. By adopting these technologies, farmers can increase crop yields, reduce chemical usage, and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Vertical Farming: Cultivating the Future

Vertical farming is a revolutionary method of growing plants in vertically stacked layers, often in indoor environments. This approach maximizes space, reduces land use, and increases crop yields. Agtech startups are pioneering innovative vertical farming solutions, including:

Hydroponics: Growing plants in nutrient-rich water rather than soil.

Aeroponics: Suspended roots absorb nutrients from a fine mist.

LED-based growing systems: Customized light spectrums optimize plant growth.

Startups like:

Plenty: Develops indoor vertical farms using AI-powered hydroponics and LED lighting.

AeroFarms: Uses aeroponics and LED lighting to grow a wide variety of crops.

Green Sense Farms: Employs a combination of hydroponics and LED lighting for year-round production.

Vertical farming offers numerous benefits, including:

Increased yields: Up to 30 times more produce per acre.

Water conservation: Reduced water usage by up to 90%.

Year-round production: Regardless of season or climate.

Reduced land use: Minimized environmental impact.

These innovations enable fresh, locally grown produce to be available year-round, reducing transportation emissions and increasing food security

Smart Greenhouses: Optimizing Growth Environments

Smart greenhouses are becoming an integral part of modern agriculture, combining IoT, AI, and automation to create controlled environments for optimal plant growth. These greenhouses can automatically adjust temperature, humidity, light, and CO2 levels, ensuring ideal conditions for crop production.

Startups like:

Algofait: 

Specializes in fully automated greenhouses that use AI and IoT to optimize growing conditions for various crops, particularly in aquaculture.Smart greenhouses offer benefits such as increased energy efficiency, reduced water usage, and the ability to grow crops in challenging climates, making them a key player in sustainable agriculture.

 Livestock Farming

Livestock farming is another area where agtech startups are making a significant impact. Innovations in this field include:

Monitoring systems for animal health and behaviour

Advanced sensors and wearables monitor livestock health in real-time.

AI-powered feeding and nutrition management

Automated feeding systems ensure animals receive the optimal diet based on their individual needs.

Virtual fencing and livestock tracking

GPS and IoT technologies allow for efficient tracking and management of livestock.

Startups like:

AgriWebb

Moocall

These innovations improve animal welfare, reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming, and enhance the efficiency of farm operations.

 Supply Chain Optimization

Agtech startups are also streamlining the agricultural supply chain, making it more efficient and reducing waste. Innovations in this field include:

Farm-to-table logistics platforms

These platforms connect farmers directly with consumers, reducing the number of intermediaries and ensuring fresher produce.

Supply chain management software

Helps farmers and distributors track inventory, forecast demand, and reduce food waste.

Predictive analytics for demand forecasting

Uses AI to analyze market trends and predict future demand, enabling better planning and reduced waste.

Startups like:

FarmLogs

Harvest CROO Robotics

These technologies enhance the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain, reducing costs and minimizing food waste.

Sustainability and Climate Change: The Role of Agtech Startups

Agtech startups are playing a critical role in addressing sustainability and climate change challenges in agriculture. By developing technologies that reduce water usage, minimize chemical inputs, and promote regenerative practices, these startups are helping farmers adapt to the changing climate and reduce their environmental impact.Examples include:

CropX: Focuses on precision irrigation and soil health, offering solutions that optimize water usage and improve crop health.

Indigo Agriculture: Uses microbial and digital technologies to improve crop yields and sustainability, while also offering platforms for carbon credits and grain marketplaces.

 Notable agtech startups driving innovation in the agriculture sector:

Here are some of the most notable agtech startups that are driving innovation in the agriculture sector:

Plenty

Focus: Indoor vertical farming.

Innovations: 

Utilizes advanced technology to grow produce indoors, enabling year-round cultivation with minimal water and land usage.

AeroFarms:

Focus: 

Aeroponic vertical farming.Innovations: Uses aeroponics to grow leafy greens and herbs without soil, achieving high yields with less water and space.

FarmLogs:

Focus: 

Farm management software.

Innovations: Provides data-driven insights for crop management, helping farmers monitor fields, track activities, and make informed decisions.

Taranis:

Focus: 

Crop intelligence and aerial imagery.

Innovations: 

Utilizes AI and high-resolution imagery to detect crop diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies early on.

Biome Makers:

Focus: 

Soil health and microbiome analysis.

Innovations: 

Develops tools for analyzing soil microbiomes to enhance soil health and crop productivity through data-driven insights.

FarmWise:

Focus: 

Autonomous weeding robots.

Innovations: Designs and deploys robots that use AI to identify and remove weeds autonomously, reducing the need for herbicides.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While agtech startups are making remarkable strides in transforming agriculture, they also face significant challenges. These include regulatory hurdles, market adoption, and the need for scalability. However, as the industry continues to evolve and mature, the future of agtech looks promising, with continued advancements expected in areas like AI, biotechnology, and sustainable farming practices.

Conclusion

Agtech startups are at the forefront of innovation in the agriculture sector, driving significant changes that are transforming the way we grow food, manage resources, and address sustainability challenges. By embracing these technologies, the agriculture industry can look forward to a future that is more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. As these startups continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, they will play a crucial role in shaping the future of agriculture for generations to come.

AgriNext Awards, Conference & Expo

AgriNext 2024 is set to be a hub for agtech startups that are redefining the agriculture sector through cutting-edge innovation. The conference will showcase emerging companies that are pioneering solutions in areas such as precision farming, AI-driven crop management, and sustainable practices. These startups are not only enhancing productivity but also addressing critical challenges like climate resilience and resource efficiency. By fostering collaboration and providing a platform for these innovators, AgriNext is accelerating the transformation of agriculture, making it more adaptive, efficient, and sustainable for the future.

Agroclimatica: 

Agroclimatica

Specializes in climate-smart agriculture, offering tools that integrate climate data to optimize crop yields and reduce environmental impact.

AgriGuru: 

AgriGuru

Focuses on AI-driven crop management, providing real-time price data for agricultural products and streamlining trading activities through an innovative online platform.

Nashe Agro: 

Nashe Agro

Showcases sustainable horticulture practices, emphasizing efficient water use and environmentally friendly cultivation methods.

These startups exemplify the innovation AgriNext Awards, Conference & Expo2024 aims to highlight, each playing a vital role in the future of agriculture.

[indoorverticalfarmingnews]

FarmWise Unveils Latest Product At World Ag Expo®

The introduction of FarmWise’s latest weeding implement, Vulcan, is considered by the company to be a game-changer for the agriculture industry. This innovative machine utilizes cutting-edge computer vision technology to remove weeds with sub-inch precision. It is a cost-efficient, reliable, and precise solution for farmers looking to control weed growth in their vegetable crops. This…

[theplantbasedintrovert]

I ran across these Farmwise veggie rings today at Kroger and decided I was in the mood to try something different. I cooked them in the air fryer until they got crispy. I must say, they were surprisingly good. If you have a favorite dipping sauce you normally use, I’m sure it would go great with these. I made a bbq, Mayo (otherwise known as “maycue”) mix for a dip. I would absolutely buy these again. #thursday #dinner #farmwise #veggierings #plantbased #plantbased #veganfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #thevegswitchup #eatyourveggies #seasonyourfood https://www.instagram.com/p/B2nagnPJRQ-/?igshid=kub07fd4tt82

[inventivaindia]

FarmWise and its weed-pulling agribot harvest $14.5M in funding

FarmWise and its weed-pulling agribot harvest $14.5M in funding

Automating agriculture is a complex proposition given the number and variety of tasks involved, but a number of robotics and autonomy companies are giving it their best shot. FarmWise seems to have impressed someone — it just raised $14.5 million to continue development of its autonomous weeding vehicle.

Currently in the prototype stage, these vehicles look like giant lumbering personnel carriers…

[managermint]

TechCrunch: FarmWise and its weed-pulling agribot harvest $14.5M in funding

TechCrunch: FarmWise and its weed-pulling agribot harvest $14.5M in funding

Automating agriculture is a complex proposition given the number and variety of tasks involved, but a number of robotics and autonomy companies are giving it their best shot. FarmWise seems to have impressed someone — it just raised $14.5 million to continue development of its autonomous weeding vehicle.

Currently in the prototype stage, these vehicles look like giant lumbering personnel…

[nuadox]

FarmWise Labs raises $45M Series B

- By Nuadox Crew -

On June 1st, US-based agritech startup FarmWise Labs announced that it has secured a $45m Series B funding round (led by Fall Line Capital and Middleland Capital).

Monitoring plant-level data with state-of-the-art equipment, the FarmWise system mechanically removes individual weeds with sub-inch precision. Leveraging a fleet of automated weeders, the company has been operating as a custom service provider to large vegetable farms across California and Arizona for three commercial seasons, increasing revenues threefold year over year. After 15,000 commercial hours, FarmWise has enriched its plant database with over 450 million scanned images of individual crops.

--

Source: FarmWise Labs

Read Also

Agtech startup Sencrop secures $18M Series B

[mundoagrocba]

Apuran desarrollo de robots agrícolas para terminar con el glifosato y el dicamba

Apuran desarrollo de robots agrícolas para terminar con el glifosato y el dicamba

Los yuyos son la perdición de los agricultores, la «plaga más dañina para todos los cultivos», definió Larry Mitich, un científico de la Universidad de California. Los matan acaparandoles los nutrientes del suelo, el agua, el espacio y la luz. A nivel mundial, son la mayor fuente de pérdidas de rendimiento en la agricultura.

Desde mediados de la década de 1990 , muchos agricultores han…

[nayanasri]

FarmWise turns to Roush to build autonomous vegetable weeders FarmWise wants robots to do the dirty part of farming: weeding. With that thought, the San Francisco-based startup enlisted the help of Michigan-based manufacturing and automotive company Roush to build prototypes of the self-driving robots.

[creekfiend]

Hey what's your fave kind of bird farmwise or in general?

Of the ones we have had, ducks

Of all bird livestock... EMUS

[itsbernadeth02]

Evolution in Agriculture – technology to Grow Crops Efficiently

In agriculture, companies that offer products using computer vision, AI, and big data stand out. In 2020, it will become common to monitor crop growth by computer vision Ceres Imaging (U.S.), Taranis (Israel), Farmwise (U.S.).

Robots, such as those by Abundant Robotics, that harvest plants and fruits will become more common. The technology for improving crop growth efficiency will also be enhanced by indoor farming companies, such as Bowery Farming (U.S.), funded by GV.

[dailytechnologynews]

FarmWise and its weed-pulling agribot harvest $14.5M in funding https://ift.tt/2LzENfc

[futuristech-info]

FarmWise Raises $14.5 Million to Teach Giant Robots to Grow Our Food

Get the latest tech and science news on Futuristech.Info

[vennomax]

Here's a round-up of the most important deals in Venture Capital from the past week.

New Post has been published on http://www.vennomax.com/entrepreneur/heres-a-round-up-of-the-most-important-deals-in-venture-capital-from-the-past-week/

Here's a round-up of the most important deals in Venture Capital from the past week.

Amazon buys Blink

Amazon is acquiring Blink, a Boston-area start-up originally incorporated as Immedia Semiconductor. Blink makes wireless home security devices, including a camera and internet-connected doorbell that are compatible with the Amazon Echo. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, the company’s investors confirmed that Immedia is being acquired in whole by Amazon. (It is not spinning out the Blink brand.)

Blink investor and board member David Aronoff, a general partner at Flybridge, said that the company’s cameras have been popular because they work well in low-light environments, were affordable relative to competitors’ devices, and were designed to be “super low power”– they run for two years on a pair of replaceable, AA lithium batteries. The acquisition could help make Amazon more competitive with Google and its Nest brand security systems.

Daimler backs an Uber competitor

German automaker Daimler is acquiring Chauffer Prive, competitors to Uber in France, the companies announced on Thursday. The parent of Mercedes Benz, Daimler is investing in and acquiring ridesharing companies the world over. For example, it previously invested in Dubai-based Uber competitors Careem, and earlier this year acquired the German app Flinc, which facilitates short-distance carpooling. Other car companies are taking a similar tack to fight off competition from tech giants like Alphabet, which owns Waze and Waymo, and younger car makers like Tesla or BYD.

Didi raises billions

Chinese ride-hailing giants Didi Chuxing raised $4 billion in new growth funding to dominate the global market. The company is getting ready to expand in both Taiwan and Mexico in 2018. With a relatively new AI research and development office in Silicon Valley, Didi increasingly competes with Uber for a supply of tech talent, drivers and passengers. Didi’s backers include Apple, Alibaba and Softbank, which has made an offer to invest significantly in Uber as well.

Carbon has raised $143 million of a targeted, $200 million series D round for its advanced manufacturing technology. The company’s 3-D printers are already being used to manufacture a huge range of items, including car and airplane parts, props for Hollywood studios and, most famously, the lattice-like midsole in Adidas’ Futurecraft 4D sneakers. Investors in the new round included: Baillie Gifford, Fidelity, Archina Capital, Adidas, General Electric and JSR Corp.

SoftBank Group is leading a $120 million investment in Lemonade, a New York City-based “insurtech” start-up. Lemonade’s app lets home owners or renters in the U.S. quickly find and buy property and casualty insurance. The app also lets users file claims and get paid within minutes via mobile. Other investors in Lemonade include its earlier backers: Aleph, Allianz, General Catalyst, Google’s venture arm GV, Sequoia Capital, Sound Ventures, Thrive Capital, Tusk Ventures, and XL Innovate.

Norwest Venture Partners led a $40 million investment in Common, a startup that offers “flexible, shared housing,” mostly to young adults in the U.S. The “co-living” trend in real estate appeals to renters who don’t want to buy their own furnishings or sign a traditional, long-term lease. At Common, members get their own private bedroom and access to well-appointed living spaces, stocked kitchens and bathrooms, and wifi. They can move to a room in another Common building and town with two week’s notice. Poised to open new buildings across the U.S., Common competes with the WeLive subsidiary of WeWork and other regional players.

One Concern, a start-up using machine learning to predict the impact of natural disasters on different communities and industries has raised $20 million in a series A funding round led by NEA. The company’s co-founder, Ahmad Wani, was inspired to develop the hazard modeling software after surviving the 2014 floods in Kashmir which devastated the region. The company’s advisors include former CIA director General David Patreus, and John Roos, who was the U.S. ambassador to Japan during the tsunami that set off the nuclear disaster at Fukushima.

Alphabet’s venture arm, GV (formerly Google Ventures), led a $60 million series C investment in FLX Bio, involved in the “discovery and development of oral small-molecule drugs to activate the immune system against cancer,” according to a company statement. Other investors in the round included: Celgene, Kleiner Perkins, Topspin Parnters and The Column Group.

UpLift raised $15 million in venture funding to give loans to would-be travelers. The company’s UpLift Pay Monthly Solution is used by United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and others to enable customers to pay for their big trips in monthly installments. According to the Global Business Travel Association, airfare and hotel costs are expected to rise next year in the U.S. which could boost UpLift or its competitors including Affirm and Airfordable.

FarmWise raised a $5.7 million seed round for its “autonomous weeding machines.” Sebastien Boyer, co-founder and CEO of FarmWise, wrote in a statement that the company’s technology could help reduce or even replace the use of herbicides on farms, and prove a boon to organic farmers. Investors included: Playground Global, Felicis Ventures, Basis Set Ventures and Valley Oak Investments. Playground’s Bruce Leak, best-known as the inventor of QuickTime, is joining the start-up’s board of directors.

Firms and funds

Sequoia is trying to raise a new, $5 billion to $6 billion fund, Recode reported. If successful, the fund would be the largest single fund closed by a U.S. venture firm to-date. But it would still would pale in comparison to the amount of capital managed by some sovereign wealth funds, corporations and the hugely ambitious SoftBank Vision Fund.

An accelerator called Yield Lab has raised a $150 million fund, according to SEC filings published on Friday. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with a second accelerator in Galway, Ireland, Yield Lab invests in start-ups working on agricultural technologies and food science. The fund is planning to expand its “agtech” accelerator to Buenos Aires, Argentina next year according to its website.

CNBC