OREANDA-NEWS. Bradley Gilbeaux was at home one day, watching his lawn get drenched by a heavy thunderstorm just as his sprinkler system switched on. He thought the situation should be avoidable, and shared his observation with friend Damon Willis, a fellow student.

Their conversation around water sparked an innovative idea.

Bradley and Damon created the Telepath Conservation System – a smart lawn irrigation system that can save millions of gallons of water by optimizing watering periods. The wireless system tracks weather conditions and forecasts by satellite while monitoring soil moisture and pH levels. It can also be customized for business or residential use and for different types of foliage. The invention earned them and their school - Clark Atlanta University – the $75,000 grand prize in the 2015 Ford Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Community Challenge.