SensNews Sept 2020

21 Sensor100 September 2020 Has i-Abra solved the Covid-19 test problem? i-Abra is a high-tech company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Bedfordshire, UK. It is focused on AI solutions for searching ‘dense data’ for information in ground-break- ing research. i-Abra has been developing their neural network image analysis software for 10 years with applications in autonomous driving, which are already in production. Using their experience, i-Abra has developed a brand-new test for COVID-19,Virolens®, that is based on the new application of an existing technology.They are working in partner- ship, with design and exclusive manufacturing expertise fromTT Electronics and pow- ered by Intel. TheVirolens® system is a COVID-19 screening device based on microscopic holographic imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) software technology. It uses a digital camera attached to a microscope to analyse saliva samples, with the data run through a computer which is trained to identify the virus from other cells , [ emphasis by Sensor100 ] delivering an end result in just 20 seconds.The Virolens® system was trained to recognise the COVID-19 virus particles in saliva using a range of samples of COVID-19 virus provided by virologists working on the vi- rus at the University of Bristol.TheVirolens® system has a 99.8% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity, based on the results of an internal in-vitro validation study, demonstrating an exciting proof of concept. Sensor100 is neither a virologist nor an expert in holographic microscopy, but is a virus a cell, and can viruses be identified in saliva by microscopy? The Financial Times has looked at the issue and raised a number of concerns surround- ing the company, its founders and the technology [ Financial Times , 16 September]. “This is a significant step forward in the battle against COVID-19, much of which has revolved around our inability to keep society moving with the constant background threat of infection,” said Greg Compton, CEO of iAbra, a neural networking image analysis startup founded in Bedfordshire, UK, in 2010.“Our system allows simple, high speed, reliable and low-cost testing in dynamic environments. In short, with theViro- lens system, we can get the world moving again.” [ eeNewsEurope 1 1 September]