RoboK, an AI spinout from the University of Cambridge, has successfully secured £1 million in funding to spearhead an innovative project aimed at enhancing safety and operational efficiency in the UK's ports and warehouses. The project, titled PALLETS, will leverage RoboK's advanced platform by integrating artificial intelligence with existing CCTV systems to facilitate real-time hazard detection through video monitoring.
The PALLETS scheme has garnered support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a government organisation responsible for directing funding towards research and innovation projects. This initiative seeks to lower the barriers to AI adoption within the transport and logistics sectors while simultaneously improving transparency and overall security.
Hao Zheng, the founder and CEO of RoboK, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “PALLETS aligns perfectly with RoboK’s vision to create safer and more efficient industrial workplaces.” Zheng highlighted the collaborative effort involved, noting, “We are honoured to collaborate with key industry partners on a project of such strategic importance to the UK economy.”
The initiative brings together a consortium comprising several ports throughout the UK, the University of Essex, and various industry contractors, all focused on addressing prevalent challenges in the logistics sector, including hazard detection and operational bottlenecks. Mark Burton, Head of IT at the Port of Dover, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, saying, “We’re really pleased with the progress being made in our work with RoboK on the PALLETS initiative.” He further noted that the initial results have yielded positive insights into how computer vision technology may enhance future operational capabilities.
The PALLETS project is set to conclude by the end of March 2024, with RoboK aiming to establish new benchmarks in AI-driven safety and efficiency standards within the UK’s logistics and transport industries. Founded in 2017, RoboK operates as a computer vision startup dedicated to transforming the safety and efficiency of industrial environments across the UK, utilising AI to enhance insights derived from existing CCTV systems and streamline operational processes. The firm has positioned itself prominently within multiple significant ports and infrastructure operations nationwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services