Hao Zheng

Hao Zheng is a Chinese-born entrepreneur and computer vision pioneer who founded RoboK, a University of Cambridge spinout on a mission to make industrial workplaces safer and more efficient through AI. Originally from China, Hao studied economics and statistics at the University of Melbourne before coming to Cambridge, where she completed a Master's degree and won the King's College Entrepreneurship Prize — giving rise to the 'K' in RoboK. Before founding the company, she gained experience in project management at Arm and strategy consulting at Deloitte, building a cross-sector foundation for leading a deep-tech venture.

Hao launched RoboK in 2019, developing a platform that turns existing industrial CCTV cameras into proactive, AI-powered safety and efficiency tools. Rather than requiring new infrastructure, RoboK's computer vision technology integrates with cameras already on-site, delivering real-time hazard detection, near-miss identification, and operational insights. The company has grown to serve major ports and infrastructure operators across the UK, achieving results such as a 90% reduction in potential safety breaches at the Bristol Port Company within three months of deployment.

In January 2025, RoboK secured £1 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to lead the PALLETS project — a consortium initiative bringing AI-powered safety solutions to UK ports and warehouses, in partnership with the Port of Dover, Freeport East, the University of Essex, and the Bristol Port Company. Hao has been recognised as a rising leader in UK deep tech and was selected for the Royal Academy of Engineering's Enterprise Hub, reflecting her impact at the intersection of AI, safety, and industrial infrastructure.