| Universiti Putra Malaysia

UPM students win third place in L’Oreal Brandstorm 2016


By: Shafini  Raisha
Photo by: Mohd Hasrul Hamdan

PETALING JAYA – Three students of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Muhammad Iqbal, Wong Jo Ann and Norsyafiqah Othman emerged second runners up in the L’Oreal Brandstorm 2016 competition recently.

Team members who called themselves the Megiddo Team won the ‘Best Communication Plan’ award for their convincing presentation on the development of an application, “Al apps CLAIRE” that is operated with a mobile phone and acts at personal dermatologist to consumers, giving them beauty tips and recommendations.

Muhammad Iqbal who is Bachelor of Science Biotechnology student from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Molecular Sciences, said initially they came up with an idea on Virtual Reality technology to revolutionize the beauty retail industry.

“Everything started from browsing beauty products to purchasing and reviewing bought items through a cutting edge VR app system. This idea got us to the final but because of the feedback that we received from the judges during the semi-final, we changed the idea into an AI-based app (artificial intelligence), that is CLAIRE, in just one month, between the semi-final and the final,” he said.



Bachelor of Science (Human Development and Management) student from the Faculty of Human Ecology, Jo An and Norsyafiqah, who is Bachelor of Science and Food Technology student from Science and Food Technology Faculty, also helped out in developing the idea further.

Muhammad Iqbal also said AI app CLAIRE reminded consumers of their beauty routines, and warned them of harmful environmental stressors.

“For example, if you walk around under the hot, sweltering heat, the AI will know this instantly through the GPS in your phone which is paired with the weather app of your phone, and will recommend you a sunscreen.”

“The AI also comes with tools that enable you to have skin analysis via your phone camera which will prompt CLAIRE to give you tips on how to deal with your skin problems using its extensive database,” he added.

He added that although the presentation was done in just 15 minutes, the competition was one of the toughest they had ever faced.

“Regardless, the entire experience was extremely rewarding as we got to learn many things from professionals, including those from China, in terms of marketing and the corporate world in general,” he added – UPM.


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