A Cambridge artificial-intelligence startup has secured £1 million in government funding to develop technology that aims to prevent accidents and improve efficiency at British ports and warehouses by upgrading existing security cameras with AI capabilities.
RoboK, founded in 2017 by Hao Zheng, received the funding from UK Research and Innovation as part of a broader initiative to accelerate trustworthy AI development. The project, called PALLETS (Proactive AI-powered Solutions for Logistics Efficiency, Transparency and Safety), was among 21 selected for the program’s second phase.
The technology integrates with existing closed-circuit television systems to identify potential safety hazards and operational inefficiencies in real time. Early trials at the Port of Dover have yielded promising results, according to Mark Burton, the port’s head of IT.
“We’ve gained some helpful insights into how computer vision might support our operational goals,” Mr. Burton said. He added that the project has sparked ideas for broader applications across the port’s operations.
The Bristol Port Company has also embraced the initiative. “The PALLETS project is enabling the port to gain an enhanced understanding of how AI can make our business even safer and more efficient,” said David Brown, the port’s chief executive.
RoboK has assembled a consortium of partners including Astron Fire & Security, Freeport East, the University of Essex, and The Finishing Line to implement the technology. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2025.
The funding comes as ports and logistics hubs increasingly look to technology to address safety concerns and operational bottlenecks. By leveraging existing surveillance infrastructure, RoboK’s approach could lower barriers to AI adoption in an industry that has traditionally been slow to embrace automation.
“PALLETS aligns perfectly with RoboK’s vision to create safer and more efficient industrial workplaces,” said Mr. Zheng, the company’s founder and chief executive.
The initiative is part of a broader push by UK Research and Innovation to promote the development of ethical and reliable AI technologies across traditional industries. Success at major ports like Dover and Bristol could establish new standards for safety and efficiency in logistics operations nationwide.