> Using technology from home pregnancy and malaria tests, its saliva and finger-prick kit could be ready for sale by June for less than $1 apiece.
Based on this, I'd guess they are talking about an antibody based test. There are point of care Influenza tests that work on the same principle. Probably not as sensitive as a PCR test, but definitely cheaper and faster -- if you can get a good antibody.
A direct antigen test can work if enough virus is shed. For example, there is a coronavirus fecal antigen test for dogs. The technique is ELISA, like for antibody tests.
Agree, tried to figure out how they got an rt-pcr machine that small, then realized the whole article is bullshit. I guess we are in for a lot of this nonsense.
It's real tech - miniaturization with microfluidics allows shorter cycles -> faster results. But it's not clear whether any of these companies are yet making enough machines to help, or if it's just PR. Probably the latter.
Antibody tests are more suitable for test strips, and work under 30m, but they need blood test.
Few companies in China are already marketing 30 minute PCR systems. One from Xiamen, another from Nansha.