Robotics team brings home win for YSU in Youngstown, Ohio

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Youngstown State University robotics team had its best performance ever at a national competition.

The team’s 250-pound robot Hailstorm is showing some scars from competing at the national RoboGames.

“We were super happy with all the damage that we were able to dish out onto people,” said Alex Richards, of Warren.

The robot’s main weapon in the front spins at 250 miles per hour, a twirling steel egg beater.

“You’re ripping parts off but also getting underneath and flipping so you’re kind of getting a double weapon system there,” said Ronnie Shirilla, of New Castle.

One big hit led to a wheel breaking off its competitor. It turned into a souvenir. The team brought it home, with autographs from the competition and a special autograph from its designer Ray Billings.

“And in that match, we actually hit them so hard that they caused an electrical fire within the robot and we won by knockout,” Richards said.

YSU got its first win in a national competition. Penguin Combat Robotics combined electrical and mechanical engineering students. Their red creation focused on weapons, armor, frame, drive and electronics to win two matches.

“Because anyone can just win once, but being able to win twice as your robot can withstand fights,” said Kevin Yacucci, of Austintown.

“For us, this is a really big accomplishment even if we don’t win the whole event. It’s big for us as a group,” said Nathan Espenschied, of Medina.

Hailstorm finished sixth out of 20 teams.

The robot had systems in place to collect data and help future YSU teams design a better frame. It would still like to accomplish one major goal.

“Improve it even further to increase that number of wins and keep going and maybe even get on the TV show someday,” Yacucci said.

The next Penguin Combat Robotics will start design in the fall.