Robok secures £1m in UKRI funding to revolutionise AI safety in UK ports and warehouses

AI startup RoboK, born at the University of Cambridge, has been awarded £1 million by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to lead a pioneering project aimed at boosting safety and efficiency across UK ports and warehouses.

Called PALLETS, short for Proactive AI-powered Solutions for Logistics Efficiency, Transparency and Safety, this ambitious project forms part of UKRI’s ‘Accelerating Trustworthy AI’ program and will run until March 2025.

At the heart of the PALLETS project is the RoboK platform, which integrates AI into standard CCTV systems, transforming traditional surveillance into a proactive tool that can detect risks in real time, streamline operations, and increase productivity. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to reduce barriers to AI adoption in the logistics sector by prioritizing transparency, data security and user trust.

RoboK is collaborating with several partners in this project, each offering vital expertise: Astron Fire & Security focuses on security infrastructure; Freeport East and Bristol Port contribute to major port operations; The Port of Dover offers insights from one of Europe’s busiest ferry terminals; Finish Line provides specialized logistics knowledge; The University of Essex provides expertise in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity research. Together, the union will address common challenges such as workplace risks and operational bottlenecks, all while meeting stringent industry standards for data protection.

Hao Cheng, founder and CEO of RoboK, praised the project as a natural extension of the company’s vision, saying: “The platforms are perfectly aligned with RoboK’s goal of creating safer and more efficient industrial workplaces. We are honored to collaborate with key industry partners on a project of such strategic importance to the Kingdom’s economy.” United.

Steve Bell, CEO of Freeport East, stressed the crucial role of collaboration in driving innovation in the ports and logistics sector, while Mark Burton, head of IT at the Port of Dover, said early results had been “very positive”, referring to the ideas of… New application of computer vision technology in various port operations. Holly Leonard, Director of Innovation Partnerships at the University of Essex, praised the project’s contribution to accelerating AI solutions in logistics, noting the potential economic and environmental benefits. Likewise, David Brown, CEO of Bristol Port, praised RoboK’s AI expertise, explaining that the platforms will allow Bristol Port to anticipate incidents and maintain a safer and more efficient working environment.

“The platforms are perfectly aligned with RoboK’s vision of creating safer and more efficient industrial workplaces,” said Hao Cheng, founder and CEO of RoboK. We are honored to be collaborating with key industry partners on a project of such strategic importance to the UK economy.

Steve Bell, CEO of Freeport East, added: “This demonstrates our role as a regulator, establishing connections to develop innovative applications and technologies in the ports and logistics sector.”