AON Invent sells environmental propeller rights to Raider Outboards

AON Invent has sold the intellectual property for its Australian Environmental Safety Propeller to Raider Outboards, giving the Florida defense contractor exclusive commercialization rights. The deal could speed deployment of a propeller designed to cut injuries to people and marine wildlife across military, government and recreational markets.

Why it matters: - The Environmental Safety Propeller is designed to reduce propeller-related injuries to swimmers, water skiers and marine wildlife. - Preliminary testing indicates the propeller could cut propeller-inflicted injuries and fatalities by up to 60% versus conventional propellers. - Raider Outboards plans to commercialize the technology across military, government and recreational boating markets worldwide.

What happened: - AON Invent LLC announced it completed the sale of the Environmental Safety Propeller intellectual property to Raider Outboards of Titusville, Florida. - The transaction gives Raider Outboards ownership and exclusive commercialization rights to the propeller. - AON Invent said the deal positions the technology for global use in military, government and recreational boating. - The propeller was invented by Colin Chamberlain of New South Wales, Australia.

The details: - Chamberlain developed the ESP after witnessing severe injuries to marine wildlife and learning about fatal accidents involving swimmers and water skiers. - Chamberlain said the invention was meant to improve safety for people and wildlife while preserving performance. - The propeller gained attention in Australia after Chamberlain demonstrated it on ABC Australia's show “The New Inventors.” - A video of the demonstration is available here. - Chamberlain said the technology should help protect sensitive marine habitats, including seagrass beds. - Chamberlain also said the ESP could reduce injuries to manatees, sea turtles, whales and other marine animals often harmed by conventional propellers. - Larry Robertson, CEO of AON Invent, said commercialization took eight years because disruptive safety technologies often take time to enter established markets. - Robertson compared the timeline to seat belts, which were invented in 1885 and mandated in all new automobiles in 1968. - Robertson said the Environmental Safety Propeller could become one of the most important marine safety advancements of a generation.

Between the lines: - Raider Outboards is the exclusive U.S. Department of Defense manufacturer of fully submersible special-missions outboard motors originally developed for U.S. Navy SEALs. - Raider’s motors are used by all branches of the U.S. military, federal law enforcement agencies and allied defense forces worldwide. - The deal suggests AON Invent found a buyer with the manufacturing base and defense relationships needed to push the propeller into specialized markets. - Chris Woodruff, vice president and general manager of Raider Outboards, said testing showed the ESP met the performance demands of military operators while adding safety benefits. - Woodruff said Raider is in the process of making the ESP standard equipment across its entire product line. - George Woodruff, president of Raider Outboards, said the company sees potential for the technology to redefine marine safety standards worldwide.

What's next: - Raider Outboards is expanding its manufacturing facility. - Raider intends to develop ESPs for recreational boating markets worldwide. - The company is moving toward standardizing the ESP across its product line. - Wider deployment will depend on manufacturing scale-up and market adoption.

The bottom line: - The sale gives a defense-focused manufacturer control of a propeller technology aimed at reducing injuries to people and marine life, while opening a path to broader commercial use.