Meet Kevin & Noodle

Team Minion operates two Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms, Kevin and Noodle, for the 2026 RobotX Maritime Challenge. Both vehicles use modular architectures incorporating carbon fiber structures, 3D-printed components, and commercial hardware.

Noodle serves as the established UAV platform for autonomous systems development. Kevin builds on the Noodle architecture with structural and hardware modifications for its RobotX competition requirements, including waterproof operation, extended flight capability, LiDAR sensing, and a novel capture mechanism.

Kevin & Noodle Frame Designs

Kevin’s primary structural components are constructed from carbon fiber for its high strength-to-weight ratio. Two carbon fiber plates support the primary electrical components and can slide out of the vehicle for battery changes and maintenance. The arms and landing legs attach to the carbon fiber shell through 3D-printed PPA-CF mounts that are epoxied to the structure.

The vehicle is designed for operation over water, with all entry points sealed using a combination of epoxy, silicone sealant, and O-rings. This provides watertight protection for the internal electronics in the event of a water landing or crash.

Noodle uses a Tarot Iron Man 650 carbon fiber frame with foldable arms and landing legs for transportation and storage. Four plywood propeller guards surround the propulsion system and are designed to act as mechanical fuses during a crash.

Explore Kevin & Noodle Frame Designs →

Power & Propulsion

Kevin uses the same motors and electronic speed controllers (ESCs) as Noodle, providing a proven propulsion system while maintaining commonality between the two vehicles. A second 6S2P lithium-ion battery pack is connected in parallel to increase the available energy and extend flight time.

Explore Power & Propulsion →

Electrical Infrastructure

Kevin retains much of Noodle’s electronics and communications architecture while incorporating hardware required for its additional sensing and communication capabilities. An Ethernet switch provides connectivity for the onboard LiDAR, while the antenna connection uses RP-SMA hardware instead of N-type connectors to reduce weight and save space.

Explore Electrical Infrastructure →

Sensors & Payloads

Kevin uses the same localization and perception equipment as Noodle while adding a RoboSense Airy LiDAR to improve situational awareness during competition tasks. The additional sensing capability provides the vehicle with greater environmental information while operating around obstacles and task elements.

Kevin also incorporates a dedicated capture mechanism for RobotX tasks involving tin retrieval. The system uses a motor-driven mechanism to control rubber bands that grip and release the target. A worm gear within the motor gearbox prevents the mechanism from rotating when the motor is unpowered, even under the elastic force of the rubber bands. Two herringbone gears provide a 1:15 reduction ratio, while the rubber bands generate capstan force around the tin to maintain a secure grip until release at the target location.

Explore Sensors & Payload →

Timeline & Testing

Kevin’s development builds on the proven systems and design of Noodle while incorporating additional hardware and structural changes for the 2026 RobotX Maritime Challenge. The vehicle is developed through an iterative process in which the frame, electronics, propulsion, sensing, communications, waterproofing, and payload systems are integrated and tested as the design evolves.

Testing progresses from individual components and subsystems to integrated flight operations. Testing includes electrical and propulsion checks, communications and sensor verification, waterproofing, flight testing, and evaluation of the tin-retrieval mechanism. Each stage allows the team to identify issues, validate design decisions, and refine Kevin for competition.

Design decisions are validated through a combination of subsystem testing, integration testing, and flight testing. Particular attention is given to flight stability, propulsion, battery performance, communications, sensing, waterproofing, and payload operation. As development continues, the team documents test objectives, procedures, results, and design changes to track Kevin’s readiness for RobotX 2026.

Explore Timeline & Testing →