Luxottica Group S.p.A unveiled a multi-year R&D collaboration with Intel to fuse premium, luxury and sports eyewear with smart technology.
Luxottica, which owns Oakley and Ray-Ban as well as Sunglass Hut, said the strategic alliance will push the boundaries of research and development to anticipate what smart technology for eyewear will look like in the future. The ultimate goal is to help pioneer that change and deliver smart, fashion-forward products that are meaningful and desirable to consumers. The first product from Intel and Luxottica is expected to launch in 2015.
The growth of wearable technology is creating a new playing field for innovation, said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. Through our collaboration with Luxottica Group, we will unite our respective ecosystems and bring together Intels leading-edge silicon and software technology with Luxotticas design innovation and consumer expertise. We expect the combination of our expertise to help drive a much faster pace of innovation and push the envelope of whats possible.
“This is an incredible opportunity for us to continue to innovate and further shape the future of eyewear,” said Massimo Vian, CEO of Luxottica Group. “Together with Intel, we will continue to develop the potential of wearables, expanding the limits of what eyewear can be. Well lead the change to create frames that are as intelligent and functional as they are beautiful. Products that consumers will love to wear.”
