
Explore DroneKit with Python to connect a UAV, launch scripts, read and set vehicle state, and drive autonomous flights via onboard and ground station tools.
Install python 3, the drone kit package, and Sanguin simulator on Windows (also Linux and Mac), then update pip and setup tools to run the drone kit with my proxy.
Connect to a drone using the Python Drone Kit API by creating a vehicle object and calling connect with a 14550 UDP link, enabling web_ready parameter.
Learn to read and monitor drone states and parameters with DroneKit, using vehicle attributes, observer callbacks, and safe vehicle mode management.
Learn DroneKit navigation by performing the standard launch sequence, simple takeoff, and simple go to, using location objects (global and global relative) for 3D movement, including distance meters and bearing.
Learn to send mavlink messages from python using drone kit, creating message objects for set position target local, command long, and do set ROIC to control gimbal and camera actions.
Pilot a drone security patrol around a facility, surveying a 100 by 100 meter perimeter while keeping the camera on target and facing the travel direction, then return home.
Learn to build and run predefined waypoint missions in auto mode using DroneKit with Python, including downloading, clearing, uploading, and executing mission commands and monitoring progress.
Develop a Python DroneKit-based drone delivery workflow that inputs pickup and multiple delivery coordinates, enables a gripper, and executes an automated mission sequence in auto mode.
Conclude by equipping you to analyze, develop, and test UAV scripts with the Python DroneKit API, and apply system simulation including security and drone delivery use cases.
Takeoff and operate your own drone by programming in Python using UAV development tools!
In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals for developing your own UAV-based software applications. We’re going to be using a Python-based API called DroneKit by 3D Robotics. To save you some trouble, we’ll also using a simulation vehicle for demonstration purposes called SITL or Software in The Loop. That way, you won’t have to buy your own drone if you’re not ready or to just learn and test an idea.
To arm you with the basics, we’ll be addressing the following questions:
How do you connect a vehicle and launch a python script?
How do you read, set, and monitor vehicle state and setting information?
How do you control the position of a drone?
How do you send commands to a drone through MAVLink messages?
How do you run a drone autonomously?
We'll also go over two sample use cases about drone security and drone delivery.
We’ll be assuming you are familiar with Python and some UAV development tools, like ArduPilot and MAVLink. If not for the latter, don’t worry. You’ll still be able to follow. This course is for anyone interested in developing UAV-based programs and testing and running a UAV before buying one.
All slides, scripts, and reference material will be available for download and use.
If you complete the course, you'll be equipped to develop your own UAV-based software applications without the complex low-level abstraction. If you're ready, maybe even buy your own drone and run your own operations.
Sound exciting? Join us and be part of a billion dollar industry. Sky's the limit, literally!