US 9,994,228, filed under application 15/048,824 and issued on June 12, 2018, introduces a system and method developed by Dr. Wesley W.O. Krueger to control vehicles or devices based on measured human responses to provocative environments. This innovation employs eye-tracking technology, likely integrated into head-worn or wearable devices, to monitor ocular reactions (e.g., pupil dilation, eye movement) to stressors like motion, fatigue, or disorientation. The system uses real-time data to adjust vehicle operation (e.g., autonomous braking) or device functionality, enhancing safety and performance. Validated through NIH-supported research, this platform-agnostic technology offers a scalable solution for dynamic environments.
Potential Applications
Commercial Transportation: Adjusts control for truck drivers, bus operators, or taxi drivers in response to fatigue or motion, reducing the $74 billion annual accident cost (NHTSA, 2024).
Defense Operations: Modifies military vehicle or drone behavior for pilots and special ops personnel under combat stress or disorientation, minimizing mission risks.
Industrial Equipment: Alters machinery operation based on operator response to hazardous conditions, preventing errors in aerospace or automotive assembly (costing $500M+ per incident).
Autonomous Vehicles: Enhances self-driving car safety by responding to passenger or driver reactions in challenging scenarios, supporting the growing autonomous market.
Medical Emergency Response: Adapts medical equipment control for paramedics under stress, improving patient care outcomes.
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 high-stress combat zones.
Industrial Workers: Assembly line personnel in aerospace (e.g., SpaceX), automotive (e.g., Tesla), and oil fields handling critical tasks.
Autonomous Vehicle Passengers/Operators: Drivers and fleet managers transitioning to self-driving technology.
Emergency Responders: Paramedics and first responders operating under time-sensitive conditions.
Potential Buyers or Licensees
Automotive Manufacturers: Tesla and Ford ($15M–$30M licensing) could integrate this into autonomous and commercial fleets, aligning with their $10B+ R&D investments.
Defense Contractors: Northrop Grumman and Boeing ($20M–$40M licensing) may adopt it for military vehicle systems, leveraging the DoD’s $11.7B R&D budget (2025).
Big Tech: Alphabet (Waymo, R&D $20B+) and Apple (R&D $26B) could license for self-driving tech and Apple Watch, targeting the $635.82B wearable market (2034) ($20M–$50M).
Industrial Equipment Providers: Siemens and General Electric ($15M–$25M licensing) could enhance machinery safety in manufacturing and energy sectors.
Transportation Companies: Amazon Logistics and DHL ($10M–$20M licensing) could implement for fleet optimization, reducing liability costs.
Market Appeal and Valuation
This patent addresses a $60B–$80B global market for vehicle and equipment safety and autonomous 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., motion sickness mitigation).
Investment Rationale
US 9,994,228 offers a compelling appeal by disrupting traditional safety systems (e.g., manual overrides, delayed responses) with a proactive, objective solution. Its integration into vehicles, powered equipment, and wearables generates substantial downstream revenue, aligning with big tech’s autonomous tech push, DoD safety priorities, and commercial efficiency needs. Potential buyers or licensees can leverage its versatility and validated efficacy to lead in safety, performance, and innovation markets.