Connect with us

Politics

How IoT is Evolving Agriculture – ReadWrite

Published

on

How IoT is Evolving Agriculture - ReadWrite


In agriculture, like in other industries, the Internet of Things promises formerly unattainable efficiency, resource and expense savings, automation, and data-driven operations. However, the combination of IoT and Agriculture is really very beneficial. These advantages aren’t enhancements; they’re remedies for a whole industry grappling with a slew of serious issues.

Exceptional efficiency

Agriculture is now in a contest. Farmers must produce more with deteriorating soil, decreasing land supply, and growing weather variability.

Farmers can monitor their products and conditions in real-time thanks to IoT-enabled agriculture. As a result, they have quick insights, can identify problems before they occur, and make well-informed judgments on how to prevent them.

IoT solutions in agriculture also include automation, such as demand-based irrigation, fertilization, and robot harvesting.

Growth

70% of the world’s population will live in cities by reaching 9 billion people. IoT-based greenhouses have enabled Short food supply chains and hydroponic systems, which should be able to feed these individuals with fresh fruits and vegetables.

We should grow food in supermarkets, on the walls and rooftops of buildings, in shipping crates, and of course, in the comfort of everyone’s home, thanks to smart closed-cycle agricultural systems.

Resources are scarce

Plenty of agriculture IoT solutions are focused on maximizing the use of resources—water, electricity, land. However, highly precise farming with IoT relies on the data obtained from varied sensors in the field, which allows farmers to correctly distribute just enough nutrients within one plant.

Healthy process

IoT-enabled smart farming is a proven approach to cut pesticide and fertilizer use. Precision farming not only saves water and energy and makes farming more environmentally friendly, but it also reduces pesticide and fertilizer use dramatically.

In comparison to typical farming processes, this strategy offers a cleaner and more organic final result.

Product quality has improved

IoT farm application ecosystems are real? Agriculture that is data-driven helps grow more and better goods. Farmers may better grasp the intricate interconnections between the circumstances and the quality of their crops by using soil and crop sensors, aerial drone surveillance, and farm mapping.

They can replicate the optimal circumstances and boost the nutritional worth of the items by using linked systems.

Enhanced Adaptability

The enhanced adaptability of operations is one of the advantages of employing IoT in agriculture. Thanks to real-time monitoring and forecast systems, farmers can swiftly respond to any significant change in weather, humidity, air quality, or the health of each crop or soil in the field.

New capabilities aid agriculture specialists in the event of significant weather changes, allowing them to save the crop.

Use of smart machines in Agriculture

There are various instances of how IoT might be used in agriculture, from flexible data analytics and management systems to future robot pollinators.

We’ve highlighted numerous IoT applications in agriculture in this post, including vehicles, ag spaces, and operations, as well as a few fascinating initiatives in each area.

In general, the use of agricultural vehicles is at the heart of profitable agriculture. In addition, the use of smart vehicles improves efficiency and pushes automation in conventional farming.

Connected combines and tractors from Deere & Company are prime examples. These cars drew a lot of attention from CES 2019 attendees earlier this year, not just because of their massive size and eye-catching green hue, but also because of the technology behind the hood.

To allow self-driving and precision farming, Deere’s vehicles are outfitted with sensors, computer vision, highly precise (less than one inch) GPS, and machine learning. Although these machines still require an operator, because of advancements in technology, it is no longer necessary for the operator to be a highly certified ag vehicle driver.

The Case IH concept vehicle, on the other hand, is entirely autonomous and may be operated by artificial intelligence or manned remotely from the office. Case IH, one of the world’s major agtech companies, has been working on the vehicle since 2016 and is scheduled to release the first prototype shortly.

In the industry, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or simply drones have grown in popularity. In most situations, We use drones to monitor agriculture as an IoT-based monitoring system, as well as instruments for farm mapping, on-demand watering, and pesticide treatment.

The Xaircraft P30 is an autonomous plant security drone that won a Red Dot award. It employs complex algorithms to provide exceptional flying capabilities and accurate chemical spraying, saving up to 30% of pesticide material and 90% of water.

  • Smart sprinklers, coolers, heaters

This all goes with IoT sensors technology. Implementing IoT in agriculture is not only a means to increase production and lower costs, but it’s also one of the most important ways to minimize farming’s carbon footprint and conserve energy and water resources.

Automated irrigation, for example, based on the use of smart sprinklers, helps farmers cut water usage and thereby makes agriculture more sustainable.

Integrated coolers and heaters in storage and transportation facilities improve product preservation while also reducing waste. In addition, intelligent LED lighting responds to changing circumstances automatically, ensuring that every region of a greenhouse or storage room receives the proper quantity of light.

Digital Lumens makes the type of intelligent LEDs that help with energy use monitoring and shows how IoT can help with agricultural automation. In addition, this technology improves the efficiency of managing storage and transportation assets by combining remote control and data analytics features.

Image Credit: dane shevets; pexels; thank you!

Arslan Habib

I am a content writer, specializing in SEO, Brand Content, Copywriting, Technical Content, B2B, B2C and SaaS Writer, Digital Marketer.

Politics

Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

Published

on

Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

Continue Reading

Politics

Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

Published

on

Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Continue Reading

Politics

UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

Published

on

Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2021 Seminole Press.