Researchers from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, have developed a simple breathalyzer test that they say can electronically “smell’ coronavirus and detect infection in under 2 minutes, according to a report from ABC News.

The GeNose C-19 device uses artificial intelligence — in the form of an electronic nose — to analyse a breath sample and identify elements that are unique to COVID-19.

The Indonesian Government last week granted a distribution permit for GeNose and hopes to roll out thousands of the devices by February.

The aim is that this will increase mass testing of coronavirus at hospitals, airports, seaports and other public places in the world’s fourth most populous country.

“We need faster screening to prevent people getting infected,” Indonesia’s Minister for Research and Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro said.

“This will accelerate the detection process and mitigate the risk of the pandemic spreading.”

Professor Kuwat Triyana, who led the GeNose research project, said a single test takes barely a minute and a half to produce a result, compared to the two days or longer for the standard PCR nasal swab test.

“The workflow is very easy,” he said.

Professor Kuwat Triyana, who led the GeNose research project, said a single test takes barely a minute and a half to produce a result, compared to the two days or longer for the standard PCR nasal swab test.

“The workflow is very easy,” he said.

“The breath is taken from your mouth, put into a bag, sealed, then plugged into the machine whose software interprets it, all within about 80 seconds.”

Read more from ABC News.

Featured image: Professor Kuwat Triyana of Gadjah Mada University says a single test with the GeNose C-19 breathalyzer takes barely a minute and a half to produce a result.