RoboK, a Cambridge-based AI startup spun out of the University of Cambridge, has raised €1.1 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to develop an AI solution aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in ports and warehouses across the UK.
This project, dubbed PALLETS (Proactive AI-powered Solutions for Logistics Efficiency, Transparency and Safety), aims to transform the way logistics hubs handle operations, blending AI with existing CCTV systems to provide real-time hazard detection and operational insights.
Hao Zheng, Founder & CEO of RoboK, emphasised the importance of the project: “PALLETS aligns perfectly with RoboK’s vision to create safer and more efficient industrial workplaces. We are honoured to collaborate with key industry partners on a project of such strategic importance to the UK economy.”
RoboK, founded by Hao Zheng in 2017, is a computer vision startup that aims to transform industrial sites into safe and efficient environments. With the help of AI, RoboK’s platform leverages existing CCTV systems to provide insights that enhance workplace safety and streamline operations.
RoboK’s PALLETS forms part of UKRI’s ‘Accelerating Trustworthy AI’ initiative. This programme seeks to advance the adoption of ethical and reliable AI technologies. PALLETS was one of 21 projects awarded funding in its second phase, highlighting its potential to address critical safety and transparency concerns in the transport and logistics sectors.
The startup’s platform upgrades conventional surveillance systems into proactive tools that can not only identify potential risks but also optimise workflows. By doing so, it aims to lower barriers to AI adoption, addressing operational bottlenecks while building trust in automated solutions.
Early results from the PALLETS initiative have already provided tangible insights, according to Mark Burton, Head of IT at the Port of Dover: “We’re really pleased with the progress being made in our work with RoboK on the PALLETS initiative. The early results are very positive, and we’ve gained some helpful insights into how computer vision might support our operational goals moving forward and also sparked new ideas about how we can apply this technology across different areas of our business.”
The project is slated for completion by March 2025 and has the potential to establish new benchmarks in logistics management.
RoboK’s initiative brings together a diverse coalition of partners, including Astron Fire & Security, Freeport East, the Port of Dover, The Finishing Line, the University of Essex, and The Bristol Port Company. This consortium combines AI expertise, academic research, port operations know-how, and security infrastructure to tackle the complexities of logistics automation.
The initiative has also been embraced by The Bristol Port Company, whose Chief Executive, David Brown, stated: “Bristol Port is delighted to continue their work with Robok and utilise their expertise with AI to identify potential accidents before they happen. The PALLETS project is enabling The Port to gain an enhanced understanding of how AI can make our business even safer and more efficient. The early results have been most encouraging and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”
RoboK’s work with PALLETS highlights the role AI can play in transforming traditional industries.
