AI spinout RoboK, born out of the University of Cambridge, has secured £1 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to lead a pioneering project that aims to boost safety and efficiency across Britain’s ports and warehouses.

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

At the heart of the PALLETS project is RoboK’s platform, which embeds artificial intelligence into standard CCTV systems, transforming conventional surveillance into a proactive tool that can spot hazards in real time, streamline operations, and raise productivity. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to lower the barriers to AI adoption within the logistics sector by prioritising transparency, data security, and user trust.

RoboK joins forces with several partners for this project, each bringing vital expertise: Astron Fire & Security focuses on security infrastructure; Freeport East and The Bristol Port Company contribute major port operations; the Port of Dover offers insights from one of Europe’s busiest ferry terminals; The Finishing Line lends specialist logistics knowledge; and the University of Essex provides AI research and cybersecurity experience. Together, the consortium will tackle shared challenges such as workplace hazards and operational bottlenecks, all while meeting rigorous industry standards for data protection.

Hao Zheng, Founder & CEO of RoboK, hailed the venture as a natural extension of the company’s vision, saying, “PALLETS aligns perfectly with RoboK’s aim of creating safer and more efficient industrial workplaces. We’re honoured to collaborate with key industry partners on a project of such strategic importance to the UK economy.”

Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East, emphasised 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 the early results had been “very positive,” hinting at new ideas for applying computer vision technology across the port’s various operations. Holly Leonard, Innovation Partnerships Manager at the University of Essex, applauded the project’s contribution to fast-tracking AI solutions in logistics, pointing to potential economic and environmental benefits. Similarly, David Brown, Chief Executive of The Bristol Port Company, praised RoboK’s AI expertise, explaining that PALLETS would allow Bristol Port to pre-empt accidents and maintain a safer, more efficient working environment.

Hao Zheng, Founder & CEO of RoboK, said: “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.”

Steve Beel, CEO of Freeport East, added: “This demonstrates our role as a convenor, making connections to advance innovative applications and technologies in the ports and logistics sector.”

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