Drone Programming With Python Course | 3 Hours | Including x4 Projects | Computer Vision

Introduction

This tutorial aims to guide you through the basics of drone programming with Python, focusing on the Tello drone. You will learn about drone components, how to control them programmatically, and create exciting projects such as image capture, surveillance, face tracking, and building a line-following drone. This course is suitable for beginners and provides practical experience with hands-on projects.

Chapter 1: Understanding Drones

• Definition: Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have become increasingly popular for various applications, including photography, filmmaking, and surveillance.
• Types of Drones:
  • Quadcopter: Four propellers.
  • Hexacopter: Six propellers.
  • Octocopter: Eight propellers.

Chapter 2: Components of a Drone

• Main Components:
  • Frame: Holds all components together (often made of carbon fiber or 3D printed materials).
  • Motors: Create lift (brushed vs. brushless).
  • Propellers: Generate lift; two rotate clockwise, and two counterclockwise.
  • Flight Controller: The brain of the drone, controlling motor speeds based on input from sensors.
  • Battery: Powers all components.
  • Camera: For capturing images or video.
  • Sensors: For measuring altitude, positioning (GPS), and motion (IMU).

Chapter 3: How Drones Fly

• Degrees of Freedom: Drones can move in three translational directions (up, down, left, right) and one rotational direction (yaw).
• Control Basics:
  • Increase motor speed for upward movement.
  • Decrease motor speed for downward movement.
  • Adjust motor speeds to translate or rotate.

Chapter 4: Setting Up the Tello Drone

• Tello Drone Overview:
  • Recommended for beginners; lightweight and easy to program.
  • Features a 720p camera and programmable SDK.
• Installation:
  • Download the Tello app from the App Store or Play Store.
  • Connect the Tello drone to your Wi-Fi network.

Chapter 5: Installing Python and PyCharm

• Install Python:
  • Visit python.org and download version 3.7.6.
  • Ensure Python is added to your system PATH.
• Install PyCharm:
  • Download the community version from jetbrains.com.
  • Install and set up a new project for Tello programming.

Chapter 6: Basic Movements

• Install the DJI Tello Library:
  • In PyCharm, go to Project Interpreter and install dji-tello.
• Basic Movement Code:

from dji_tello import Tello
from time import sleep

# Create Tello object
drone = Tello()

# Connect to the drone
drone.connect()

# Check battery
print(drone.get_battery())

# Take off
drone.takeoff()

# Move forward
drone.move_forward(30)

# Land
drone.land()

Chapter 7: Image Capture

• Capture Images:

import cv2

# Start video stream
drone.streamon()

while True:
    frame = drone.get_frame_read().frame
    cv2.imshow("Drone Camera", frame)
    if cv2.waitKey(1) & 0xFF == ord('q'):
        break

cv2.destroyAllWindows()

Chapter 8: Keyboard Control

• Control the Drone with Keyboard:

import pygame

# Initialize pygame
pygame.init()
window = pygame.display.set_mode((400, 400))

while True:
    for event in pygame.event.get():
        if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
            drone.land()
            pygame.quit()
            exit()

    keys = pygame.key.get_pressed()
    if keys[pygame.K_w]:
        drone.move_forward(30)
    if keys[pygame.K_s]:
        drone.move_back(30)
    # Add more controls as needed

Chapter 9: Projects

Project 1: Surveillance Drone

• Implement keyboard controls to allow the drone to navigate and capture images.
• Save images based on user input.

Project 2: Face Tracking

• Use OpenCV to detect faces and program the drone to follow the detected face.
• Implement PID control for smooth tracking.

Project 3: Line Following

• Set up the drone to follow a line using color detection and sensor input.
• Use a camera to detect the path and adjust the drone's movements accordingly.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have learned the fundamentals of drone programming with Python, covering the basic components, control mechanisms, and practical applications like surveillance drones and line-following behavior. By building these projects, you can gain valuable experience and explore the exciting world of drone technology.