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Drone Programming with Python

Jul 3, 2024

Drone Programming with Python

Welcome to the Drone Programming with Python course! In this course, we will cover the basics of drones, their components, flight dynamics, and programming drones to perform various tasks using Python.

Course Overview

  • Basics of drones
    • Components
    • How drones fly
  • Installation and basic movements
    • Image capture
  • Exciting projects
    • Surveillance drone
    • Face tracking
    • Line following drone
  • Focus on implementation for practical experience
  • Adaptable to various drones (80% of the material is universal)

Introduction to Drones

  • Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles (commonly referred to by the humming sound)
  • Uses: Photography, filmmaking, surveillance, delivery systems
  • Types: Quadcopters (4 propellers), hexacopters (6 propellers), octocopters (8 propellers)

Drone Components

  • Frame: Typically made of lightweight, strong materials like carbon fiber
  • Motors: Brushed (simple, cheap) vs. brushless (expensive, better performance)
  • Propellers: Clockwise and counterclockwise to balance the rotation
  • ESC (Electronic Speed Controller): Controls motor speed, can be separate or on a single board
  • Power Distribution Board: Distributes power from the battery to all components
  • Flight Controller: The brain, deciding motor speeds based on sensor/receiver input
  • Battery: Needs to be light and efficient for maximum flight time
  • Receiver/Bluetooth: For remote control signal transmission
  • Camera: Often with video transmitter for real-time video feed
  • Sensors: Pressure (altitude), GPS (position), IMU (acceleration and angles)

Drone Movements

  • Degrees of Freedom: Translate in three directions, rotate in one
  • Translation Movements:
    • Up/Down: Adjusting all motor speeds
    • Left/Right: Balancing motor speeds on opposite sides
    • Forward/Backward: Balancing front/back motor speeds
  • Rotation: Adjusting speeds of clockwise/counterclockwise motors

Course Drone: Teledrone

  • Teledrone by Ryze: Features DJI and Intel technology
  • Video Capabilities: 720p at 30 fps
  • Safety Features: Suitable for indoors
  • SDK: Programmable via WiFi, no router needed
  • Models: Regular and EDU with options like jumbo pack for more batteries and charging hub

Setup and Installation

  • App Installation: Download from App Store/Play Store, connect via WiFi
  • Firmware Update: Ensure latest firmware for best performance
  • Test Flight: Ensuring proper connectivity and responsiveness

Programming Environment

  • Python Installation: Recommended version 3.7.6
  • IDE: PyCharm (Community Edition)
  • Setup: Create a new project, install necessary libraries (DJI Tello, OpenCV)

Basic Movements with Python

  • Connect Drone: Using tello.connect()
  • Basic Commands: Takeoff, go forward, land, etc.
  • RC Commands: Send RC control values for precise movements

Image Capture

  • Streaming: Enable image stream from the drone
  • OpenCV: Use to process and display video frames
  • Save Images: Capture and save images when needed

Keyboard Control

  • Pygame Library: To detect key presses and control the drone
  • Drone Movements: Control using WASD keys for movement and QE for takeoff/landing

Projects

Surveillance Drone

  • Setup: Merge keyboard control and image capture code
  • Functionality: Control and take pictures via keyboard

Mapping Drone (Odometry)

  • Concept: Use velocity information to map drone’s path
  • Implementation: Convert travel distance and angle into Cartesian coordinates
  • Visualization: Plot path on a graphical interface using OpenCV

Face Tracking Drone

  • Face Detection: Use Haar Cascades to detect faces
  • Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID): Control movements to keep face centered and maintain distance
  • Integration: Combine face detection with drone control for tracking

Line Following Drone

  • Concept: Similar to line follower robots
    • Use mirror to view downwards
    • Detect and follow line using sensors split into sections
  • Implementation: Use OpenCV to detect path and control movements
  • Translation and Rotation: Adjust drone’s position based on path deviation

Summary

This course provides a hands-on approach to drone programming with Python, covering from basic concepts to advanced projects. With a focus on practical implementation, it equips learners with the skills to program and control drones effectively for various tasks.

Full transcript