RoboK, a University of Cambridge AI spinout, has announced it has secured £1 million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding for a project to deliver an industry-first artificial intelligence (AI) safety and efficiency solution for UK ports and warehouses of all sizes.

PALLETS (which stands for Proactive AI-powered Solutions for Logistics Efficiency, Transparency and Safety), led by Robok, is the result of a recent drive by UKRI to accelerate the adoption of trustworthy and responsible AI and machine learning technologies. Robok’s platform integrates AI with existing CCTV systems, transforming video monitoring into a proactive tool for real-time hazard detection and operational improvements, setting new standards in safety and efficiency across UK logistics hubs. PALLETS, one of 21 projects to successfully secure funding from phase two of UKRI’s ‘Accelerating trustworthy AI’ opportunity, aims to lower AI adoption barriers for the transport and logistics industries while improving transparency and security.

The project also brings together unique expertise from key partners: Astron Fire & Security, Freeport East, Port of Dover, The Finishing Line, The University of Essex, and The Bristol Port Company. This diverse collaboration offers the combined strengths of AI innovation, security infrastructure, port operations, academic research, and logistics expertise. Together, the consortium seeks to tackle significant industry challenges including hazard detection and operational bottlenecks in a secure and trusted manner. The project concludes at the end of March 2025 and is poised to set new benchmarks in AI-driven safety and efficiency for the UK’s logistics and transport sectors.

Hao Zheng (pictured), Founder & CEO of RoboK, commented, “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 commented “Freeport East is delighted to be involved in PALLETS. This demonstrates our role acting as a convenor, making linkages to progress innovative applications and technologies in the ports and logistics sector.”

Mark Burton, Head of IT at the Port of Dover said: “We’re really pleased with the progress being made in our work with RoboK on the PALLETS initiative. The early results are very positive, and we’ve gained some helpful insights into how computer vision might support our operational goals moving forward and also sparked new ideas about how we can apply this technology across different areas of our business.”

Holly Leonard, Innovation Partnerships Manager at the University of Essex said: “The University is proud to be collaborating with partners to deliver PALLETS, which will fast-track AI solutions into the logistics sector. Essex researchers in AI and cyber security will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of novel solutions which will deliver automation and efficiencies in a complex environment. These solutions will lead to significant efficiencies for logistics firms, which will have a positive economic and environmental impact.”

David Brown, Chief Executive at The Bristol Port Company, noted: “Bristol Port is delighted to continue their work with Robok and utilise their expertise with AI to identify potential accidents before they happen. The PALLETS project is enabling The Port to gain an enhanced understanding of how AI can make our business even safer and more efficient. The early results have been most encouraging and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”

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Customs Training Funding Now Available for UK Freight Industry

The Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show) is gearing up for its return to the NEC Birmingham from April 29 to May 1, 2025. This year promises to be the largest and most dynamic edition yet, with over 300 exhibitors and an anticipated 15,000 attendees. Organised by Nineteen Group — the team behind InstallerSHOW and Elemental — the CV Show has firmly established itself as the UK’s premier platform for road transport, logistics, freight, and distribution. This event is not just a showcase; it’s a powerful catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth within the industry.

Nineteen Group has undertaken a significant revamp of the CV Show, introducing exciting new features, dedicated zones, and tailored content designed to address the evolving challenges of the industry. Whether your focus lies in technology integration, enhancing safety protocols, or streamlining fleet operations, the 2025 show is set to deliver actionable solutions that can drive your business forward.

This year’s show introduces exciting new zones that focus on sustainability and industry transformation. The EV Zone & Trail encourages visitors to experience electric trucks and vans, and discover innovative technologies that highlight the significant benefits of zero-emission vehicles. With a planned Outdoor Area will display heavy-duty trucks and innovative haulage solutions, while the Destination Net Zero area will delve into sustainable practices and energy-efficient technologies — essential themes for businesses looking to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

Attendees can also look forward to new content stages featuring expert-led talks that address pressing issues in road transport. Topics will include decarbonisation, the ZEV mandate, infrastructure development, and compliance, among others. These insightful sessions aim to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies needed to remain competitive in this fast-evolving landscape.
From HGV and LCV manufacturers to advanced fleet management systems, vehicle security, and workshop equipment, the redesigned floorplan facilitates seamless navigation, allowing visitors to quickly locate solutions tailored to their operational needs.

As the UK’s largest commercial vehicle event, the CV Show is essential for industry professionals. With Nineteen Group’s ambitious overhaul, this year’s event is set to drive innovation, growth, and sustainability.

The Commercial Vehicle Show 2025 will be held at NEC Birmingham from 29 April to 1 May 2025.

Contact:

Daniel Burton
Senior Marketing Executive – Commercial Vehicle Show
E: dburton@nineteengroup.com
T: +44 20 3005 1059

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Sustainable Transport Refrigeration at CV Show

Locus Robotics, a global leader in flexible, AI-powered warehouse automation, announced that its largest, most dynamic mobile robot, the Locus Vector, has achieved CE certification. This milestone reinforces Locus’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence, enabling broader deployments across Europe and other international markets. Powered by the LocusONE™ platform, Locus Vector enhances warehouse productivity, flexibility, and scalability, empowering businesses to automate complex workflows with unmatched efficiency.

Currently operational at multiple sites, Locus Vector is actively deployed across leading 3PLs and a premier global apparel and footwear retailer in Europe. With this certification, Locus demonstrates its ability to manage complex multi-step processes, accommodate larger payloads, and seamlessly adapt to a wider range of order dimensions, strengthening its position as a leader in flexible and scalable warehouse automation.

Unlimited Throughput

Powered by the LocusONE™ platform, Locus Vector complements existing Locus Origin fleets, allowing customers to seamlessly expand their automation capabilities for workflows requiring higher payloads or specialized handling, such as case picking, replenishment and returns. LocusONE™ enables real-time fleet optimization and visibility, productivity tracking, and integration with third-party systems like WMS and ERP, allowing incremental expansion and unlimited throughput without infrastructure overhauls.

Locus Vector, combined with Locus Origin, highlights Locus’s advantage in flexible automation over traditional systems like AS/RS and G2P, which struggle with heavier items and orders, complex SKUs, and brownfield applications. By picking directly from pallets, both Vector and Origin eliminate decanting and reduce labor costs, making it ideal for dynamic, high-throughput environments.

Driving Customer Success Across Industries

“This CE certification for Locus Vector allows us to bring the benefits of our flexible warehouse automation solution to more customers globally,” said Denis Niezgoda, Chief Commercial Officer, International, at Locus Robotics. “Vector’s exceptional payload capacity, mobility, and seamless integration into LocusONE™ make it the ideal solution for robust automation in industries like 3PL, retail, and healthcare. Customers are already seeing increased flexibility and efficiency by deploying Vector alongside their Locus Origin fleets or standalone.”

Expanding Applications and Value

Locus Vector enables seamless warehouse process automation across operations. For example, a UK-based 3PL uses Vector for wine distribution, automating bottle picking directly onto mobile pallet dollies. Meanwhile, a leading retailer in Czechia uses Locus Vector for large-volume replenishment while Origin robots handle picking tasks. The LocusONE™ platform orchestrates these workflows in real-time, optimizing operations and improving productivity.

With Locus Vector’s CE certification, Locus Robotics continues to advance flexible automation, meeting the growing demand for innovative and high-performing solutions globally.

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Locus Robotics Premiere Vector at LogiMAT

UKREiiF connects people, places, and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive, and transformational investment.

This 3-day event is the perfect storm. Bringing together a spectacular array of key decision-makers from every area of the built environment, including the public sector, with every core UK city and region involved, alongside government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders, and more.

UKREiiF has become the must-attend event in the industry

The sheer number of regional combined authorities, local councils, and government departments that attend UKREiiF every year – as well as the largest investors, developers, and end-users from across the UK (and internationally) – supports this statement.

Get your tickets to be amongst all the key players, influencers, and decision-makers within the investment and real estate markets who are preparing to gather in Leeds. mission statement: UKREiiF connects people, places, and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive, and transformational investment.

As the 2025 event looms closer, the organisers are excited by the sheer size and potential of what’s on offer.

This 3-day extravaganza is a perfect storm – bringing together a spectacular array of key decision-makers from every area of the built environment: the public sector – with every core UK city and region involved – alongside government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders, and more.

Check out these numbers for 2025:

16,000+ Event Attendees
2,500+ Fringe Event Attendees
1,250+ Speakers
60+ Stages
150+ Exhibitors
150+ Fringe Events
275+ Local Authorities Attending
1,750+ Investors Attending
1,000+ Occupiers Attending
1,750+ Developers Attending

The UK needs this platform for the public sector to showcase the scale of development progress and profile future investment opportunities to investors, developers, and occupiers from around the globe that are based right here in the UK – this event does just that.

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UKREiiF Property Show Ticket Deadline

Once again this year, the eye-catching Linde Material Handling stand in Hall 10 at LogiMAT will feature numerous products and solutions making their debut at the trade fair in Stuttgart. These include the Linde E and Xi electric counterbalanced trucks with a load capacity of up to 2 tons. With a total of 26 models, these trucks offer state-of-the-art performance and ergonomics. The exhibition also highlights the company’s commitment to automation. This year, the solution provider is again significantly expanding its portfolio with a total of five new Linde MATIC models. The MATIC:move software, which has been designed to facilitate the planning, commissioning, maintenance and servicing of automated vehicles, will also be on display. Last but not least, the cloud-based myLinde customer portal will go live in time for LogiMAT. This portal offers a comprehensive suite of software solutions, including the Linde connect fleet management system, the Linde Safety Guard assistance system and the battery charge management application Linde connect:charger, all accessible through a single interface for seamless management and control.

The centrally located stand in Hall 10, which has grown to 612 square meters (stand numbers B21, B17 and C38), is complemented by two additional outdoor areas that have become well established in recent years and are directly adjacent to the hall. In the loading yard between Halls 8 and 10, just a few steps away, visitors can test various forklift models for themselves and receive individual demonstrations. This year, the focus will be on the new three- and four-wheel electric forklifts. Another “touch and feel” exhibition area for the vehicles, complete with expert advice, is located in the exhibition park between Halls 9 and 10.

“These three exhibition areas offer visitors the opportunity to obtain comprehensive information and advice on what Linde MH has to offer. Throughout the event, experts will be on hand to answer questions and discuss solutions to intralogistics challenges,” says Dr. Monika Laurent-Junge, Senior Director Marketing and Brand Communications at Linde MH. ”Linde MH covers the entire spectrum, from manual to automated industrial trucks, software solutions and product-related services. Other focus topics include safety and energy solutions.”

The new Linde E and Xi electric counterbalanced forklift trucks, with load capacities ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 tons, are the focus of the exhibition and set a new standard in the industry in terms of performance, ergonomics and compact design. The wide range of models ensures that there is a perfect match for a wide range of customer requirements. The Linde Xi10 to Xi20 models feature an integrated 90-volt lithium-ion battery and a synchronous reluctance motor for high acceleration and fast lifting/lowering speeds. The Linde E14 to E20 models offer versatility, allowing operators to switch between lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries or continue to use existing batteries using the plug-and-play principle.

“The demand for automated solutions from Linde MH has increased significantly over the past year. New truck models and the MATIC:move software make it even easier and more cost-effective to get started with automation. At the same time, Linde MH also offers options for mapping complex material flow processes. LogiMAT is an ideal opportunity for professionals responsible for automation initiatives in companies to explore the comprehensive range of Linde MH products and services at the company’s stand,” says Torsten Rochelmeyer, Senior Director Strategy & Solution Portfolio at Linde MH, inviting trade visitors to drop by.

The number of software solutions that fleet managers can use to improve safety in the workplace, make administration, control and maintenance more efficient, or optimize battery charge management is also increasing. In the future, it will be possible to manage all these processes via a single application. “With ‘myLinde’, we offer a comprehensive suite of solutions from a single source, streamlining administration for our customers,” says Torsten Rochelmeyer.

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Linde Experience Hub at HQ

Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced its findings from a new study revealing that British consumers are expected to return £1.5 billion worth of unwanted Christmas gifts this year, highlighting the significant logistical and financial challenges facing retailers in the post-holiday period. Managing this deluge of returns efficiently and effectively is critical to maintaining both profitability and customer satisfaction.

From wrapping to returns: the journey of unwanted gifts

Unwanted gifts start with good intentions but miss the mark. From ill-fitting clothing to duplicate gadgets, gift returns initiate a complex reverse logistics process, with an estimated 67 million presents expected to be returned this year. This puts immense pressure on retailers, warns Craig Summers, VP Northern Europe & MEA at Manhattan Associates. “Efficient returns management is vital during peak holiday season as businesses balance the need for streamlined processes with maintaining customer satisfaction.”

The research found that:

· Almost 23% of Brits exchange unwanted gifts for something else
· 21% donate unwanted gifts to charity shops
· 19% regift unwanted presents to new recipients
· 17% store unwanted gifts away, often in cupboards
· 12% return unwanted gifts for a full refund
· The most common Christmas gifts returned include clothing (42% of consumers have returned), shoes/footwear (21%), cosmetics (16%) and jewelry or watches (15%)

The returns challenge: why are shoppers so frustrated?

The returns process is a common source of frustration for consumers, with 39% citing long refund waits and 33% pointing to unclear policies as major pain points. These issues have real consequences for brands, with 40% of consumers saying they would avoid a retailer after a difficult returns process. “A seamless and customer-centric return experience is essential for building trust and fostering long-term relationships,” adds Summers.

This challenge is particularly pronounced among Gen Z shoppers, who returned gifts at a much higher rate (65%) last year than their older counterparts (19%) among those aged 65+. Given Gen Z’s focus on sustainability, brands face additional pressure to not only streamline their returns, but also minimise the environmental impact of the process too.

A balancing act for retailers

Retailers are walking a tightrope. They need to meet customer expectations for easy returns while also managing the significant logistics of processing millions of items which erodes valuable bottom-line profits. As Summers explains, “investing in solutions such as robust reverse logistics and AI-powered customer service, coupled with clear communication and efficient processes, is crucial for retailers navigating this challenge effectively.

“There’s more to returns than software and pound signs though. Retailers need to also consider the emotional aspect of returns. Customers often feel awkward or disappointed when returning gifts, and a smooth, empathetic process can make all the difference in maintaining loyalty and a positive brand experience.”

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Study highlights consumer concerns over Christmas gift deliveries