Flox intelligence develops AI to deter wildlife from infrastructure

Flox Intelligence, a startup founded in 2020, is using AI to prevent wildlife collisions with infrastructure such as trains, airports, and roads. The company's system, which uses edge devices to detect and deter animals, was inspired by Sara Nozkova's experience with wildlife incidents during her work in transportation. Nozkova, who previously worked in autonomous vehicles, noted that traditional deterrents like sirens and fences are ineffective in natural environments. Flox's AI system identifies animals and emits species-specific sounds to scare them away, adapting its responses to avoid habituation. The company currently has about 150 devices deployed globally and expects to end 2026 with $1.5 million in revenue. Nozkova emphasized that her company's unique approach, combining field data with AI, positions it as a leader in nature intelligence for infrastructure. Flox's technology is being used at airports, roads, and rail corridors, with partnerships including train manufacturer Alstom. The company has raised about $5 million in funding and is now seeking a $10 million Series A round to scale its operations. Competitors like Robin Radar and iCHASE use similar technologies, but Nozkova claims Flox's extensive field data gives it a competitive edge. She believes that as machines operate outdoors, understanding nature will become a critical layer of perception technology.