Built on rigorous mathematics, designed for trust.
Our approach rests on probability theory and optimal transport, the branch of mathematics that measures precisely how one probability distribution differs from another. Rather than asking "Is this number high?", we ask "How far is this moment from this person's own known states, and in which direction?"
Each person is their own reference
A short calibration session captures each person's reference distributions for known states: rest, light load, productive high load, and distraction. Every reading is measured against how this person naturally behaves.
The whole distribution, not just the average
We compare full probability distributions using a Wasserstein (optimal-transport) distance. It captures a shift in level and a change in shape, so a change in variability registers even when the average stays the same.
A true, interpretable distance
The Wasserstein distance is a genuine mathematical metric that respects the geometry of the signal. Every reading can be explained as how far, and in which way, the present moment sits from a person's known states. That is the foundation for transparent AI.
Scaled to the individual
What counts as "close" is set by how much each person naturally varies when nothing has changed. The result is a principled, person-specific scale in place of a one-size-fits-all threshold.
Steady in real conditions
Our fusion engine re-weights each sensor second by second according to signal confidence, so the estimate stays steady when a channel becomes noisy or drops out. Task context adds the direction that helps tell productive focus from fixation.
Evaluated with discipline
We evaluate models person by person, with cross-validation, confidence intervals, and success criteria set in advance. Partners see rigor, clearly reported.
The shape of a person's physiology tells the fuller story.
We tested the approach in a large, IRB-approved driving-simulator study, comparing standard heart-rate and HRV measures with our person-referenced distributional index on the same people under the same conditions.
The result points to a simple idea: what separates one mental state from another lies in the shape of a person's physiology, not its level.
Manuscript under review. The method is covered by a filed U.S. provisional patent. Full results will be linked here once they are published.
A richer signal brings personal context to life
A single heart-based number, even when personalized to each driver, captured only part of the picture. The full distribution reveals much more.
The shape of the signal carries the information
On the same drivers, our distributional index consistently detected higher mental demand for most of them, clearly outperforming standard heart-rate and HRV measures.
It tracks what matters over time
The index followed the cycle of support and recovery during the task, and it grew as time on task increased.
What we've built, and where we're headed.
Proven today
- Real-time fusion engineCardiac and facial fusion that shifts weight per second as signal confidence changes. Evaluated in a large driving-simulator study across hundreds of system-issued interventions.
- Person-referenced state indexReliably distinguishes high from low mental demand in a controlled laboratory setting.
- Monitoring and risk-state classificationContinuous individualized state estimation, plus readiness trends across sessions.
- Live demonstrationsTwo presentations with live BIOPAC physiological demos at the Department of the Air Force Modeling, Simulation & Analytics Summit, 2026.
Where we're headed
- From the lab to one wearableBringing lab-grade insight to a single wrist signal that people already wear.
- Fast, confident calibrationDelivering reads with stated confidence from short baseline sessions.
- Productive focus vs. fixationDistinguishing healthy, productive effort from fixation by the direction of physiological change.
Real-time monitoring you can trust. Our index tracks operator state as it unfolds, providing continuous, individualized monitoring and trend tracking. We report our results with care and precision, so partners know exactly what they are getting.
Let's work together
For government program managers, prime contractors looking for teaming partners, and research collaborators.