AI-powered startup from Cambridge prevents safety hazards in ports and warehouses raises Series A funding

Robok Secures $2.1m in Growth & Grant Funding to Deliver Enhanced Safety
and Efficiency in Industrial Workplaces

Computer vision startup turns passive videos into actionable
intelligence for enhanced safety and efficiency at large-scale
infrastructure sites

  * With a mission to make logistics workplaces safer, more secure, and
more efficient, RoboK is already working with some of the largest
critical infrastructure operators, turning their on-site visual data
into high-value insights.
* The Bristol Port Company saw a reduction of over 90% in potential
safety incidents after just three months of deploying RoboK’s solution.
* The funding round was led by Cambridge Enterprise with participation
from new and existing investors including the Bristol Port Company,
U-blox AG, Amadeus Capital Partners, Martlet Capital, the University of
Cambridge Enterprise Fund managed by Parkwalk Advisors, Deeptech Labs,
and a number of angels. The company has also secured grants from funders
incl. InnovateUK and the Department for Transport.

Cambridge, 30th June 2023 – RoboK, a startup applying AI-powered
computer vision to logistics & industrial workplaces, has announced $2.1
million in funding, making it $4 million to date, for accelerating
commercial expansion.

The company is on a mission to deliver significant value to customers
and unlock the often-overlooked potential of its existing industrial
CCTV cameras. This is achieved with their proprietary computer vision
solutions that are privacy-preserving and cost-effective, allowing the
company to offer secure, always-on and proactive insights with deep
sector operational knowledge.

The use cases for RoboK’s technology include ports and other large-scale
infrastructure, where safety hazards, inefficiencies, and delays can
have significant economic and environmental impacts. For example, ports
handle large volumes of cargo and have complex logistics processes
involving many vehicles, equipment, and personnel. By using computer
vision to monitor and analyse these processes, RoboK’s technology can
help prevent accidents as well as improve efficiency in handling and
transportation.

The Bristol Port Company is one of RoboK’s satisfied customers who have
seen the benefits of the innovative technology. After implementing
RoboK’s solution, the company saw a remarkable reduction of over 90% in
potential safety breaches in just three months, which convinced them to
invest in RoboK’s latest funding round. David Brown, CEO of the Bristol
Port Company, said, “_I have been extremely impressed by the insights,
data and detail we have gained from this cutting-edge technology.
Furthermore, the responsiveness of all the RoboK team – from their CEO
to engineers – to find rapid, practical, and innovative solutions has
been superb. There are clearly huge opportunities for all UK ports to
collaborate and benefit from what we have learned; without question we
now run a safer operation thanks to RoboK’s technology and expertise_”.

The use of funding will enable RoboK to connect to more sites, including
ports and other industrial infrastructure, and provide even more
valuable insights as the solution becomes more embedded within the
day-to-day operations of customers, helping operators of very large
sites better monitor the potential safety issues as well as improve
productivity and throughput. Additionally, RoboK plans to hire
additional commercial and product roles to support its growth plans.
This infusion of new talent will enable the company to continue to
innovate and improve its solution to meet customers’ evolving needs.

“Our technology has the potential to revolutionise the entire
infrastructure industry and we are starting with ports. This is
especially significant for the UK, as 95% of all UK imports and exports
are transported by sea. We are committed to making it accessible to as
many workplaces with existing industrial CCTV cameras as possible,” said
Hao Zheng, co-founder & CEO at RoboK. “Supported by strong research
expertise, our solution stands out in our ability to provide accurate
and robust AI insights at scale and cost-effectively. Our team has built
an easily configurable solution that can address the many key challenges
of our customers and we are excited to use this funding to continue our
journey of making industrial workplaces safer and more efficient.”

Desmond Cheung, Senior Investment Analyst at Cambridge Enterprise,
shared: _”Cambridge Enterprise has been a staunch supporter of RoboK
since it spun-out of the University’s Department of Computer Science and
Technology in 2017 and is delighted to have led RoboK’s latest funding
round alongside existing investors, the Port of Bristol and the port’s
major shareholder. The encouraging outcomes at Bristol just 3 months
after deploying RoboK’s solution is not only a testament to the
performance of RoboK’s AI, but also to Hao and her team’s dedication to
delivering a class-leading product. We look forward to seeing RoboK’s
platform scale across the logistics and supply-chain sector, and
potentially save many more lives to come.”_

_ _

Amelia Armour, Partner at Amadeus Capital Partners, commented: _”Amadeus
is very proud to have been a backer of RoboK from very early on and our
team strongly believes in the AI technology that Hao and her team has
developed. At this stage in its development, it is especially exciting
to see the commercial traction the company is having with ports. It is a
clear sign of the team successfully productising its technology, and
having the ports come on board as new investors will also be seen as
strong validation that should help attract further customers.”_

_ _

Miles Kirby, CEO of Deeptech Labs, said: “Since participating in
Deeptech Labs’ Autumn ’21 cohort, RoboK has gone from strength to
strength, and this marks another key milestone in its journey. We are
excited to have this latest funding round validate the RoboK model. We
look forward to working with the RoboK team as they continue to scale
their operations and further enhance the safety and efficiency of
large-scale infrastructure sites.”

Notes for Editors

About RoboK:

RoboK is a computer vision startup with a mission to make all industrial
workplaces safe and high-performing with AI. The company develops
innovative, privacy-preserving, and cost-effective technology to
maximise the value of industrial CCTV cameras. RoboK is already working
with some of the largest critical infrastructure operators, turning
their on-site visual data into high-value actionable insights.
Find out more at www.robok.ai [2]

About Cambridge Enterprise:

Cambridge Enterprise is the commercialization arm of the University of
Cambridge, dedicated to transforming ground-breaking research and ideas
into successful commercial ventures. With a deep commitment to
innovation, Cambridge Enterprise bridges the gap between academia and
industry, fostering collaborations and supporting the development of
intellectual property. Through strategic partnerships and a wealth of
expertise, they empower entrepreneurs and startups to bring cutting-edge
technologies and solutions to the market, driving economic growth and
societal impact.

Find out more at www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk [3]

About Amadeus Capital Partners:

Amadeus Capital Partners is a global venture capital firm that
specializes in early-stage technology investments. With a proven track
record spanning over two decades, they have supported and nurtured
numerous innovative companies in sectors such as artificial
intelligence, deep tech, cybersecurity, and digital health. Beyond
providing capital, Amadeus Capital Partners offers valuable strategic
guidance and operational support, leveraging their extensive network and
industry knowledge to accelerate the growth and success of their
portfolio companies. Their collaborative approach and deep understanding
of emerging markets make them a trusted partner for ambitious
entrepreneurs aiming to disrupt industries and create lasting value.

Find out more at www.amadeuscapital.com [4]

About Deeptech Labs:

Deeptech Labs is an accelerator, VC fund, and the catalyst for Deeptech
success. Twice a year, its cohort of start-ups are embedded in a
powerful network of successful entrepreneurs, expert practitioners,
leading researchers, and Deeptech organisations worldwide. Deeptech Labs
is founded by ARM, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Martlet Capital, Ewan
Kirk, and the University of Cambridge – forefront institutions and
individuals at the heart of the Cambridge and global technology
ecosystems.