The unique sensor on Hut’s umbrella started as part of a project to design very-low-cost weather stations, including rain gauges, for use in Africa.
Researchers use rain gauges to figure out how much rain is falling, and how quickly. Some rain gauges are simple containers with markings on the side. Others have tipping buckets, which fill and empty as the rain falls. (Each time they pour out, they add a mark to an electronic tally).