Abstract

The Rainbot project, initiated by Aaron Katerberg and supported by a team of Grand Valley State University (GVSU) students, aims to address the need to maintain standard American football fields. The Rainbot’s primary function is to deliver a consistent quarter inch of water across a standardized half-sized American football field, approximately 28,800 square feet. The team's responsibilities were to enhance and optimize an existing prototype of the Rainbot, addressing limitations related to hose coiling, straight-line driving, and overall intelligence. The goal is to create a full-scale version that performs better, delivers consistent watering, and features improved navigation capabilities.

In 1957, entrepreneur Ev Katerberg opened one of the area’s first companies offering installation of underground lawn sprinkler systems. His early projects included stately homes, office complexes and government building throughout Grand Rapids. An early innovator, he developed a reputation for quality design, workmanship, and customer service. Many of his earliest installations are still in operation today.

Today, Ev Katerberg’s son Will and grandson Aaron carry on the family tradition of excellence in irrigation at Grapids Irrigation. The company is one of the nation’s leading installers of residential, commercial, sports field and public area sprinkler systems.

With three generations in irrigation since 1957, we have observed systems that fail prematurely or require constant repairs due to use of substandard components and shortcuts taken during the installation process. Each of our projects is specifically designed and installed to avoid these headaches.