Central Seniors Earn Patent for Invention After Years of Development

For about four years, Parker Gregg and Cayden Wright have been developing and perfecting their invention, Air Alert. The Central seniors have officially received a patent for this life-saving invention.

Air Alert is a device designed to detect carbon monoxide and automatically shut off an engine when the carbon monoxide levels get too high.

The idea originated from Gregg, who lost his father to carbon monoxide poisoning four years ago.

Gregg approached Wright, his friend "pretty much since the day I was born," and said, "Hey, I got an idea."

Gregg and Wright began working on Air Alert the summer before their ninth grade year.

Wright, who has experience in technology, said he "combined existing skill and learned new ones" with the help of Google to develop a prototype.

There have been three prototypes for Air Alert.

"The MQ-7 sensors were unreliable," said Wright. "There was limited success."

The duo has replaced these with new senors.

When demonstrating how Air Alert works, Wright showed that the invention beeps when carbon monoxide levels are detected, then shuts the motor off automatically.

"We don't have to develop the invention further," said Wright. "Someone else can do that. We will likely license the product to car manufacturers and collect royalties."

In 2018, Gregg and Wright brought their invention to Atlanta for the Technical Student Association national competition. After placing second in the regional competition and third in the state competition, Gregg and Wright placed first in the national competition in the Inventions and Innovations category.

Their invention needed a name for the contest. The name "Air Alert" came from a classmate.

"I designed the logo on paper," said Gregg.

Wright was able to create a similar design on the computer, and Air Alert was born.

"We're thankful we got the competitions in before COVID," they said.

They also noted that the Inventions and Innovations category has been removed from this competition, so they won just in time.

Through Gregg's mother, Brandy Gregg, the pair connected with a patent attorney. Their case was done pro bono.

"They have a program for it," said Wright. "It was a noble opportunity to help the community."

Most of the patenting process was "long and boring."

"There was a lot of waiting around for the government," said Wright.

While COVID may have slowed down the process slightly, it had little effect on the invention and its patent.

Going forward, both Gregg and Wright are focused on "resumes and college applications."

After an impressive high school football career, Gregg is looking to play college football and major in biology. Gregg also plays baseball for Central.

Wright is looking into majoring in computer engineering and computer science. He is on Central's cross country team and volleyball team.

"I can't disclose any other inventions I'm working on," said Wright.

The pair may get patents for Air Alert in other countries, but that could end up being very expensive.

The pair thanked their parents, Brandy Gregg and Polly and Troy Wright, for their help and financial support of this invention.