US 9,298,985, filed under application 14/172,734 and issued on March 29, 2016, presents a physiological biosensor system and method developed by Dr. Wesley W.O. Krueger. This innovation utilizes eye-tracking technology, likely integrated into head-worn devices, to monitor physiologic states such as fatigue, stress, or impairment (e.g., substance use) and dynamically control vehicles or powered equipment. The system employs real-time ocular parameter analysis (e.g., pupil response, eye movement) to trigger safety responses, such as autonomous braking or equipment shutdown, enhancing operational safety. Validated through NIH-supported research, this platform-agnostic technology offers a scalable solution for high-stakes environments.
Potential Applications
Commercial Transportation: Monitors truck drivers, bus operators, and heavy machinery operators to prevent accidents, addressing the $74 billion annual cost of road incidents (NHTSA, 2024).
Defense Operations: Controls military vehicles, drones, or powered gear for special operations forces, improving mission safety and reducing risks.
Industrial Safety: Ensures operator fitness in manufacturing (e.g., aerospace, automotive assembly), where errors can cost $500M+ per incident.
Medical Transport: Enhances safety for ambulance or medical equipment operators under stress or fatigue.
Autonomous Systems: Integrates with self-driving vehicles to adjust control based on driver state, supporting the growing autonomous vehicle market.
Potential Users
Transportation Workers: 3.5 million U.S. truck drivers and millions of global bus/auto operators in safety-sensitive roles (BLS, 2024).
Military Personnel: Army, Navy, and Air Force operators of vehicles or powered equipment in combat zones.
Industrial Workers: Assembly line workers in aerospace (e.g., SpaceX), automotive (e.g., Tesla), and oil fields handling critical components.
Emergency Responders: Paramedics and first responders operating under high-stress conditions.
Autonomous Vehicle Users: Drivers and fleet managers transitioning to self-driving technology.
Potential Buyers or Licensees
Automotive Manufacturers: Tesla and Volvo ($15M–$30M licensing) could integrate this into autonomous and commercial fleets, aligning with their $10B+ R&D budgets.
Defense Contractors: Lockheed Martin and Raytheon ($20M–$40M licensing) may adopt it for military vehicle systems, leveraging the DoD’s $11.7B R&D budget (2025).
Big Tech: Apple (R&D $26B) and Alphabet (Fitbit acquisition $2B) could license for Apple Watch or Waymo, targeting the $635.82B wearable market (2034) ($20M–$50M).
Industrial Equipment Providers: Caterpillar and John Deere ($15M–$25M licensing) could enhance machinery safety in construction and agriculture.
Transportation Companies: UPS and FedEx ($10M–$20M licensing) could implement for fleet management, reducing liability costs.
Market Appeal and Valuation
This patent addresses a $50B–$70B global market for vehicle and equipment safety technology, with a per-patent value of $25M–$80M (average $52.5M), reflecting its multi-sector potential. Licensing fees could range from $10M–$50M per deal, with royalties (1–5%) adding $5M–$20M annually. Within Dr. Krueger’s 20-patent portfolio, valued at US$750M–$1.68B, this patent contributes significantly, with an upside to US$2.5B–$3B, enhanced by its synergy with other patents (e.g., substance use assessment).
Investment Rationale
US 9,298,985 offers a compelling appeal by disrupting traditional safety protocols (e.g., manual checks, delayed response) with a rapid, objective, and portable solution. Its integration into vehicles, powered equipment, and wearables generates substantial downstream revenue, aligning with big tech’s healthcare push, DoD safety priorities, and commercial efficiency needs. Potential buyers or licensees can leverage its versatility and validated efficacy to lead in safety and performance innovation.