BUSINESS Safilo and Amazon Collaborate on New Carrera Smart Glasses With Alexa By Staff Thursday, September 21, 2023 12:24 AM PADUA, Italy and SEATTLE—Safilo Group (SFLG.MI) and Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) have announced the launch of new Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa, blending Safilo’s design with Amazon’s cloud-based voice service. This is the first collaboration between Safilo and Amazon. The launch consists of two styles: the Carrera Cruiser and the Carrera Sprinter. In addition to the two Carrera frames, Amazon is also launching five of its own new Echo frame styles: Modern Rectangle, Rectangle, Round, Square and Cat Eye. All styles, including Carrera styles, feature custom-built speech processing technology, the ability to connect seamlessly to multiple devices and more, according to Amazon. Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group, said, “Safilo has always looked to the future with an innovative approach, and this is why we are very proud to collaborate with Amazon on this innovative project, offering our Italian design and the unique style of Carrera Eyewear. Furthermore, we are proud to combine our well-established traditional wholesale distribution model—which encompasses eyecare retailers, chains, department stores, specialized retailers and boutiques—with Amazon’s incredible online distribution.” Jean Wang, director of smart eyewear at Amazon, said, “Safilo delivers expertise in the eyewear industry and Carrera’s iconic frame designs are a natural fit for smart eyewear and builds upon our vision for Alexa and ambient intelligence. With the new Carrera Smart Glasses we’re offering customers even more options for stylish smart eyewear.” With open-ear audio technology, the new Carrera Smart Glasses direct sound to the ears without covering them, while minimizing what others around can hear. Users can get up to six hours of continuous media playback or continuous talk time on a full battery charge. Amazon called the Carrera Smart Glasses “the new generation of Echo Frames.” Echo Frames start at $269.99 to the consumer and Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa are $389.99 to the consumer. Customers can sign up on the Amazon details page to be notified when pre-orders begin. The Carrera Smart Glasses will be distributed through Safilo’s U.S. sales team via a selective distribution strategy, and will also be available for purchase via Amazon as well as via Safilo’s website. Both styles—the Carrera Cruiser and the Carrera Sprinter—are fully Rxable via an optical lab, or available in UV400 protection sunglass lenses or blue light lenses. They are IPX4 water resistant and scratch resistant. Echo Frames and Carrera Smart Glasses have the Climate Pledge Friendly badge certified by the Carbon Trust. Device packaging is 100 percent recyclable, and the charging stand is made with 35 percent recycled materials. Amazon’s renewable energy projects will produce the clean energy equivalent to the electricity used by every customer’s Echo device by 2025.