Avalon AI & Matahari Department Store Collaboration Presents Aura Intelligence: The Latest Innovation by ITS Students in the Fashion Industry

Kevin Putra Santoso, President Director of Avalon AI at the launch of Aura Intelligence.

Surabaya, IT Journalistic — On February 28 2025, Avalon AI, an artificial intelligence-based technology startup, officially launched its innovative product, Aura Intelligence, at Matahari Department Store, Tunjungan Plaza 3 Surabaya. The grand launching event was attended by various parties, including academic representatives, Matahari management, and enthusiastic visitors eager to experience cutting-edge technology in the fashion industry.

Kevin Putra Santoso, President Director of Avalon AI and a student from the Department of Information Technology at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), expressed his excitement at the event. “We are thrilled to be here for the grand launch of Aura Intelligence. This event also marks our first collaboration with Matahari Store at Tunjungan Plaza, aligning with our mission to conduct AI-based research and innovation to support the development of lifestyle and the creative industry,” he stated.

Aura Intelligence is an AI-based system designed to help customers select clothing that matches their size and color preferences without the need to try them on in a fitting room. This technology offers a practical solution for customers looking to save time and enjoy a more efficient shopping experience.

The advanced technology of Aura Intelligence is designed to enhance the shopping experience with automated clothing recommendations and personal color analysis

One of the standout features that sets Aura Intelligence apart from other fashion AI technologies is its automatic size estimation. Kevin explained that this is the first innovation of its kind in Indonesia, allowing customers to determine their correct clothing size without expensive equipment. “Usually, this feature requires specialized devices that can be quite costly. However, we successfully developed a deep learning algorithm that replaces the need for such tools, making the process easier and more affordable,” he said.

Additionally, Aura Intelligence offers clothing recommendations based on personal color analysis. According to Kevin, this concept is gaining popularity and is widely discussed in the media. “Normally, personal color analysis consultations require a specialist, which can be quite expensive. We aim to make this feature more accessible and affordable for customers,” he added. To further enhance the shopping experience, Avalon AI has also developed a chatbot that acts as a fashion consultant, assisting customers in selecting outfits that best suit their preferences.

The journey to create Aura Intelligence was not an easy one. Kevin explained that AI development is advancing rapidly worldwide, and Avalon AI’s mission is to bring similar innovations to Indonesia, aspiring to reach an international level. Their main focus is the fashion industry, aligning with Avalon AI’s vision.

The initial idea for Aura Intelligence emerged in 2023 as part of a project called Project Merlin. After extensive discussions and concept development, collaboration with Matahari was established earlier this year. Planning began in January, and on February 1, the technical development of Aura Intelligence officially commenced.

Developing Aura Intelligence came with its fair share of challenges. Kevin revealed that building the system was highly complex and required in-depth research. “The concept has been around since 2023, but the technical realization only began this year. One of the biggest challenges was developing a deep learning algorithm for automatic size estimation without the need for expensive equipment,” he explained.

Visitors’ Enthusiasm While Experiencing Aura Intelligence Technology Firsthand

Matahari Tunjungan Plaza Store Manager, Yani, explained that this collaboration stemmed from the issue of long fitting room queues. “I was looking for a solution that would allow customers to try on clothes without waiting in line. After being introduced to Kevin and the Avalon AI team, we found a shared vision and decided to collaborate on bringing Aura Intelligence to life,” she said.

According to Yani, AI implementation in the fashion industry will bring significant changes to the shopping experience. “Since the pandemic, the digital revolution in fashion has become more apparent. We hope that technologies like Aura Intelligence can enhance the shopping experience for Matahari customers,” she added.

The Head of the ITS Department of Information Technology, Hari Ginardi, expressed pride in his students’ success in creating innovations that can be immediately utilized by society. “Most trending AI applications today revolve around chatbots or LLM-based models, but Avalon AI has successfully developed a technology that can be practically used by the public. This demonstrates that our students are capable of creating innovative and beneficial solutions,” he stated.

Mr. Hari Ginardi, Head of the ITS Information Technology Department, is enthusiastic about seeing the application of Aura Intelligence technology in the world of fashion

Visitors at the event also provided positive feedback on the introduced technology. Mawar, a visitor from Surabaya, said that the system made shopping much more convenient. “It’s simpler and saves time. Just scan the camera without trying on clothes,” she said. Another visitor, Wisnu, added that the system was highly helpful in selecting the right clothing size.

Looking ahead, Avalon AI plans to continue developing Aura Intelligence, including integration with e-commerce platforms and enhancing interactive features such as virtual try-on. “We hope that Aura Intelligence can be implemented in all Matahari stores and even used personally by customers at home,” Kevin stated.

The launch of Aura Intelligence by Avalon AI proves that young students have immense potential to create innovations that can transform industries. Kevin and the entire Avalon AI team have demonstrated how creativity, thorough research, and a willingness to collaborate can result in technology with real-world impact. This success serves as evidence that the younger generation is not only capable of keeping up with global technological advancements but also of creating relevant and applicable solutions for society. With this achievement, it is hoped that more students will be inspired to explore technology, develop innovative ideas, and drive real change across various industries.

IT Journalistic
February 28, 2025
Dyas Amorita Radhwa Nashirah