Okaya’s AI Mental Health Platform Secures AFWERX Phase 2 for Enhanced Flight Operations

Okaya technology to be tested in pre flight and post flight activities

(BOULDER, CO) – Okaya (awarded as SmartTec Inc) announces that its flagship AI platform has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract focused on making flight operations more robust, accurate, and timely in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

Okaya has developed a mental health assessment platform that, utilizing its proprietary cloud-based machine learning algorithms and standard desktop or mobile technologies, is able to determine a person's mental health state from a brief interactive video recording. The technology can be used in both mission-critical and clinical settings and is typically delivered via an API.

Under development for over 3 years, the platform merges the latest Machine Learning techniques with fundamental research on how mental states can be determined from a combination of physiological factors. Under this SBIR, the platform will focus on operational risk management, assisting aircrew in gaining objective analysis and insight to lower both risk to force and risk to mission. Okaya’s goal is to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, promoting awareness and mental strength through advanced technological solutions.

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now Okaya will continue its journey to provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Gregory Menvielle, CEO and Founder of Okaya, said, "We are excited to be working with The DAF and AFWERX. We believe that our technology will contribute to the transformation of how mental health is viewed in the armed forces. Mental health awareness can provide insights that can yield a new position of strength, ultimately improving performance and mission outcomes."

“The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.”

About Okaya

At Okaya, our vision is crystal clear: to redefine mental health care to make it proactive, accessible, and personalized. Rooted in Boulder, Colorado, with global reach, we unite diverse expertise in AI, machine learning, and healthcare.

We have developed a proprietary AI platform that assesses mental health in real-time, analyzing video and voice data within seconds to offer actionable insights. Our technology is designed to be used in various settings, from clinical environments to mission-critical operations, ensuring mental health can be monitored and managed effectively and efficiently.

Privacy, ethics, and security are at the core of our operations. We prioritize user data privacy with complete transparency and ethical handling of all information.

For more information, visit https://www.okaya.me/government

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,100 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit www.afwerx.com.