Optalert
Optalert is an Australian MedTech company that builds scientifically validated drowsiness and impairment detection technology based on eyelid movement analysis, serving mining and transport fleets, automotive OEMs, and neurology researchers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersRichmond, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Optalert does
Optalert is an Australian medical-technology company, founded in 2002 by sleep medicine pioneer Dr. Murray Johns AM, that develops scientifically validated drowsiness and impairment detection systems based on blepharometry — the precise measurement and analysis of eyelid movements pioneered by its founder. The patented Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS) processes 64 characteristics of eyelid blink signals to output a continuous 0.0–10.0 impairment score, with the complementary Optalert Intoxication Scale (OIS) detecting alcohol-related impairment at low BAC levels; the biomarker has been validated in over 140 peer-reviewed publications and deemed 'commensurate with gold standard laboratory measures' by Harvard Medical School.\n\nThe company operates three solution lines. For mining and transport fleets, Optalert sells the Eagle Suite — industrial-grade wearable glasses with a 500 fps sensor, ruggedized industrial tablets, the IRIS cloud monitoring platform, the Eagle Eye fleet dashboard, and Eagle Insights for AI-generated reporting — deployed with enterprise customers such as Vale and BHP across haul truck and maintenance operations. For automotive, Optalert licenses the JDS/OIS algorithms via a Software Development Kit to OEMs and Tier 1 DMS developers to enable GSR and Euro NCAP compliance; in April 2026 the JDS technology entered mass production with a leading European OEM. For neurology, the company offers the Owl Eye App for non-invasive obstructive sleep apnoea screening (pursuing SaMD classification) and conducts biomarker research into Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.\n\nOptalert monetises through a hybrid enterprise model: hardware sales or monthly rentals for Eagle Suite, recurring software licence and subscription fees, professional and fatigue-risk-profiling services, extended warranty, and OEM/Tier 1 SDK licensing royalties. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales for mining and transport fleets, an API/SDK-first motion for automotive DMS developers, and content-led demand generation via its website and case studies. The company is privately held, headquartered in Cremorne, Melbourne (Australia), with disclosed operating presence in Australia, Brazil, and Chile and a commercial European OEM relationship.\n
Optalert firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Optalert
- Legal name
- OPTALERT Australia Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://optalert.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Optalert is an Australian MedTech company that builds scientifically validated drowsiness and impairment detection technology based on eyelid movement analysis, serving mining and transport fleets, automotive OEMs, and neurology researchers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Optalert industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Driver Monitoring and Fatigue Management Software
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables) (HLAHACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Visual Field & Functional Vision Testing (Perimetry, ERG/VEP, Contrast Sensitivity) (HLAHAJAC)
Keywords
Where Optalert is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Optalert business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Automotive SDK Licensing: Optalert licenses its impairment detection software (JDS algorithm and OIS) to automotive manufacturers to integrate into their driver monitoring systems. This enables GSR and Euro NCAP compliance testing and validation. Revenue generated through licensing agreements with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
- Hardware Sales - Eagle Suite: Sale of fatigue monitoring hardware including Eagle Glasses with 500 fps sensors, Eagle Industrial ruggedized tablets, and associated equipment for real-time drowsiness monitoring in mining and transport fleets.
- Software Licensing and Subscription: Non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Software (OPTALERT vehicle operating system and algorithm) during the contract term. Includes Ongoing Licence Fee for continued access, Maintenance Releases, and Upgrades. Subscription model with monthly rental fees.
- Professional Services: Implementation services (Implementation Fee), Training Services, Customer Support Services, Fatigue Risk Profiler Services, Reporting Services, and Additional Services including data analysis consultancy.
- Extended Warranty: Extended Warranty Fee for additional warranty coverage beyond the standard 12-month warranty period.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Monthly | Custom Enterprise Pricing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | DMS Validation Assessment |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Optalert product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Optalert develops and licenses scientifically validated drowsiness and impairment detection technology built on blepharometry (eyelid movement analysis). Its flagship Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS) algorithm and Optalert Intoxication Scale (OIS) are delivered to mining and transport fleets through the Eagle Suite hardware/software platform, and to automotive OEMs and DMS developers through a licensable SDK. The company also offers the Owl Eye App for obstructive sleep apnoea screening and pursues neurological biomarker research.
Product overview
Optalert is a pioneering Australian MedTech company offering scientifically validated drowsiness and impairment detection solutions across three sectors: Mining & Transport (Eagle Suite), Automotive (JDS Algorithm, OIS, Automotive SDK), and Neurology (Owl Eye App, Neurological Biomarker Research). The Eagle Suite provides comprehensive fleet fatigue management combining Eagle Glasses (500 fps wearable sensor), Eagle Industrial/Eagle Light tablets, Eagle Eye dashboard, Eagle Insights AI reporting, and IRIS cloud monitoring. Automotive solutions include the patented Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS) algorithm and Intoxication Scale (OIS) licensed via SDK to automotive OEMs. Neurology offerings include the Owl Eye OSA screening app and research into neurological biomarkers. The JDS algorithm is the world's only scientifically proven objective drowsiness measure, validated in over 140 peer-reviewed publications, now entering mass production with leading European automotive OEMs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Eagle Suite: Mining and transport fleet fatigue management product line, comprising Eagle Glasses, Eagle Industrial, Eagle Light, Eagle Eye dashboard, Eagle Insights, and IRIS cloud-based monitoring platform.
- Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS)
- Optalert Intoxication Scale (OIS)
- Owl Eye App
- IRIS
- Automotive SDK
Products and services
- Eagle Suite Comprehensive fleet fatigue management platform for mining and transport operations, combining wearable Eagle Glasses, Eagle Industrial tablets, Eagle Light, Eagle Eye dashboard, Eagle Insights AI reporting and the IRIS cloud monitoring system to deliver real-time drowsiness scoring (JDS 0–10), GPS tracking, risk profiling, incident management and predictive trend analysis across entire vehicle fleets.
- Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS) Algorithm Patented drowsiness detection algorithm that processes 64 characteristics of eyelid blink signals to output a 0.0–10.0 objective drowsiness score spanning from alertness to sleep; detects cognitive impairment up to 20 minutes earlier than non-medically based solutions and is licensed to automotive OEMs and DMS developers for integration into driver monitoring systems.
- Optalert Intoxication Scale (OIS) Non-invasive eyelid-movement-based alcohol impairment detection that identifies when a driver is dangerously impaired by alcohol, including at lower BAC levels where impairment persists long after BAC begins to decline.
- Automotive SDK Software development kit that licenses Optalert's JDS and OIS impairment detection algorithms to automotive manufacturers for integration into their driver monitoring systems; enables GSR and Euro NCAP compliance testing and validation, integrates into any DMS within days using a single eyelid-movement input signal, and includes sample code, tools, API information and documentation.
- Owl Eye App Consumer and clinical application that uses eyelid movement analysis to detect signs of sleep issues and screen for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) while the subject is awake; the first non-invasive awake OSA screen of its kind and in the process of pursuing software as a medical device (SaMD) classification.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 98% reduction in fatigue risk exposure in mining operations
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Optalert
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Optalert technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature8 records
Optalert partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- ValecoreVale, one of the world's largest mining companies, has commercially validated Optalert's technology. Optalert's fatigue detection system is deployed across Vale's off-road haulage fleet. This partnership demonstrates Optalert's capability to operate at scale in the mining industry with over 200 trucks monitored.
- Harvard Medical SchoolcoreHarvard Medical School has validated Optalert's proprietary JDS biomarker as 'commensurate with gold standard laboratory measures.' This endorsement provides significant credibility for the technology's medical accuracy and scientific validity.
- Leading European Automotive OEMflagshipOptalert's JDS driver monitoring technology has entered mass production with a leading European OEM. Vehicles fitted with Optalert's JDS algorithm are now rolling off production lines. This represents a significant commercial milestone and validates Optalert's automotive market entry.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Optalert competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- ResMed: Australian-listed leader in sleep-disordered breathing treatment (CPAP, sleep apnea devices). Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but relevant to Optalert's Owl Eye OSA-screening business, where Owl Eye could feed at-risk patients into ResMed's diagnostic and treatment pathway.
Direct peers
- Geotab: Canadian fleet telematics leader that acquired SmartCap Technologies, a fatigue-band product directly competing with Optalert's Eagle Suite in mining and heavy-industry fleets. Geotab brings a much larger installed telematics base, making it the most relevant mining-fleet fatigue peer.
- Smart Eye: Swedish DMS specialist that supplies eye-tracking software to multiple automotive OEMs and acquired Affectiva to extend into in-cabin sensing. Direct competitor to Optalert's Automotive SDK for JDS algorithm integration, with overlapping Tier 1 customer set and similar GSR/Euro NCAP use cases.
- Cipia Vision: Israeli DMS company (formerly EyeSight Technologies) delivering in-cabin driver monitoring software to automotive OEMs and Tier 1s. Competes head-to-head with Optalert's JDS SDK in the automotive licensing market, with a focus on DMS-as-software delivery models.
- Seeing Machines: Australian-headquartered driver monitoring company providing AI-based eye and face tracking DMS for both automotive OEMs (Guardian, Magna collaborations) and commercial fleets. Direct competitor in both Optalert's automotive SDK and fleet fatigue markets, with the same Australian origin and overlapping mining/fleet customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Netradyne: US-based fleet safety AI company (Driver•i) providing video-based driver behavior monitoring and coaching for commercial fleets. Competes with Optalert's Eagle Suite in the commercial fleet fatigue market via camera-based monitoring, though Optalert's eyelid-based approach is differentiated.
- Lytx: US fleet video telematics incumbent with dash-cam-based driver behavior monitoring and fatigue detection. A broader incumbent in commercial fleet safety, overlapping with Optalert's Eagle Suite in transport/logistics customers but using a different sensing modality.
- Bosch: German Tier 1 supplier with an automotive interior monitoring system and DMS offerings. A broad incumbent competing with Optalert in automotive DMS, typically integrating in-cabin cameras rather than licensing a third-party algorithm, and serving the same GSR/Euro NCAP regulatory tailwind.
- Tobii: Swedish eye-tracking technology company with broad applications across consumer research, healthcare, and automotive DMS via its Tobii AutoSense unit. A broader incumbent in the same eye-tracking category as Optalert's blepharometry core, but with a wider portfolio and less focus on drowsiness specifically.
- Valeo: French Tier 1 automotive supplier offering its own driver monitoring system and in-cabin sensing solutions to OEMs. A broad incumbent that competes with Optalert's automotive licensing at the Tier 1 integration layer, with much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Optalert social profiles
Digital presenceOptalert financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Optalert leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Optalert funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Optalert M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Optalert
What does Optalert do?
Optalert develops and licenses scientifically validated drowsiness and impairment detection technology built on blepharometry (eyelid movement analysis). Its flagship Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS) algorithm and Optalert Intoxication Scale (OIS) are delivered to mining and transport fleets through the Eagle Suite hardware/software platform, and to automotive OEMs and DMS developers through a licensable SDK. The company also offers the Owl Eye App for obstructive sleep apnoea screening and pursues neurological biomarker research.
Is Optalert a public or private company?
Optalert is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Optalert founded?
Optalert was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Optalert based?
Optalert is headquartered in Richmond, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Optalert make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Automotive SDK Licensing is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales - Eagle Suite, software Licensing and Subscription, professional Services and extended Warranty.
Who are Optalert's main competitors?
ResMed is listed as an others. Direct peers are Geotab, Smart Eye, Cipia Vision and Seeing Machines. Broad incumbents are Netradyne, Lytx, Bosch, Tobii and Valeo.
Does Optalert have an API?
Yes. Optalert offers an Automotive Software Development Kit (SDK) that automotive manufacturers can license to integrate impairment detection algorithms into their driver monitoring systems. The SDK enables GSR and Euro NCAP compliance testing and validation. It requires one input signal (eyelid movements/blinks), processes 64 characteristics, and outputs JDS scores from 0.0 to 10.0. The SDK includes Sample Code, Tools, API Information, and Documentation. Developers must submit an SDK Access Request describing their proposed application for approval.
What industry is Optalert in?
Optalert's product category is Driver Monitoring and Fatigue Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHACAE, Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables), with a secondary code of HLAHAJAC, Visual Field & Functional Vision Testing (Perimetry, ERG/VEP, Contrast Sensitivity). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3841.