Safilo and Interaxon Introduce SAFILOx Brain-sensing Eyewear Platform, Helping Consumers Find Their "Flow" through Beautiful Designer Frames

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2017

The first product built on the new platform is Smith's Lowdown Focus Mpowered by Muse. Designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the new "smart" sunglasses integrate Interaxon's Muse brain-sensing technology into the popular and stylish Smith Lowdown frames to deliver cognitive training technology via beautifully designed eyewear that wearers can sport every day.

Lowdown Focus Mpowered by Muse's frames includes brainwave-sensing EEG, EOG and EMG technology as well as other sensors, including a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyro, a 3-axis magnetometer, a UV sensor (UVA and UVB), a temperature gauge and a pressure sensor, providing a rich upgrade path for applications via an open SDK. The app developed to work with Lowdown Focus Mpowered by Muse will initially focus on helping users engage in regular cognitive training, with special features to enhance energy management and attention immediately before competition and exercises to reintegrate into daily conditioning.

The brain is central to athletic development and outcomes, not to mention the quality and value of those outcomes. Importantly, performance is a multifactorial process that begins and ends with the human brain. By implementing the Muse technology into Smith glasses, the two companies have advanced a brain-first approach to maintaining brain health and performance.

Interaxon's Muse brain-sensing technology has been in use for two years in the Muse meditation headband, which is employed by athletes, coaches, clinicians and more than 100 hospitals and universities worldwide. The technology measures brainwave activity during meditation and provides users with feedback and guidance to help them relax and focus.

"Thanks to Safilo's expertise in renewed iconic design and craftsmanship dating back to 1878, we are in constant pursuit of innovation and have been able to integrate a truly unique technology into inspirationally designed and stylish eyewear," said Thorsten Brandt, general manager of Safilo's sports and outdoor lifestyle brands. "With the launch of Lowdown Focus Mpowered by Muse, we're adding another dimension to how the Smith brand enables athletes around the world. We've been providing superior vision and safety through our market-leading goggles and helmets for more than 50 years and are excited to add cognitive training and conditioning to our offering. Active consumers at all levels intuitively understand the importance of finding their focus, yet up until now, there haven't been a lot of products that help you up your mental game. We believe our collaboration with Interaxon is truly unique and something our customers will love. This is a first in bringing together innovative products that beautifully blend technology, form and style."

"We're excited to extend the positive impact of our technology to a broader audience," said Derek Luke, CEO, Interaxon. "Wearers of Lowdown Focus Mpowered by Muse will be supported to develop a consistent mental training practice, leading to greater levels of performance and focus whether they're competing, studying, parenting or working. Our collaboration with Safilo has resulted in the first mental performance-enhancing eyewear on the market and the first device users will wear throughout the day, increasing the likelihood they will engage in beneficial exercises more often and consistently."