TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Research and Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro on Wednesday claims that the Covid-19 screening device dubbed the GeNose C19 - which was developed by Gadjah Mada University - has underwent stringent testing on 2,000 samples assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) technology with flying colors.

“The GeNose has been tested for its validity by testing 2,000 samples with 90 percent accuracy,” Bambang claims in a written statement on February 3. “And the more this equipment is used, the more accurate it becomes because it will constantly be updated by a team at the UGM.”

However, Bambang asserts that this screening device that has obtained the Health Ministry certification is not a replacement for PCR swab tests and that it will largely become a requirement for passengers to pass before boarding public transportation.

GeNose itself has been developed from 2019 and is constantly being perfected for a larger scale use across the nation. This adds to the option for people to check their health other than the PCR tests and the rapid antigen swab tests.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the breath detector device will start to be used in train stations from February 5 and will initially be in service at Pasar Senen Station and the Tugu Yogyakarta Station before it will be adopted by other train stations.

Also Read: Govt Pushing for the Use of GeNose, RT-Lamp COVID-19

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA