Programmable drones
Programmable drones are drones equipped with sensors, cameras and processors that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. They can be used in a number of fields, including research, development and higher education.
Programmable drones: what applications?
Programmable drones allow researchers, engineers and students to collect data, develop products and learn important concepts related to robotics and engineering. Examples of applications include:
Collecting data in environments that are difficult to access or dangerous for humans:
- Mapping inaccessible areas
- Monitoring of wild animals
- Measuring air and water pollution
- Detecting changes in the environment
Prototyping products that require aerial movement:
- Testing prototype delivery or surveillance drones
- Testing new control algorithms
Teaching programming, robotics and engineering concepts:
- Learning to program drones
- Designing and building drones from scratch
- Understanding the principles of drone flight and navigation
Which programmable drone to choose?
Crazyflie 2.1: an open source programmable mini-drone
Designed for research and development in robotics and embedded computing, the Crazyflie 2.1 drone is equipped with an ARM Cortex-M4 processor and a full set of sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer and pressure sensor.
Small in size (92 x 92 x 29 mm), it can be powered by a 240 mAh Li-Po battery and fly for about 7 minutes. It is compatible with Python, C, C++, ROS, Matlab, etc.
Versatile and customisable, it can be used for a variety of applications: aerial mapping, environmental monitoring, research on autonomous drones and robotics, etc
Drone Tello Edu: a programmable drone for beginners
If you want to explore the basic functionality of drone programming, the DJI Tello is ideal. It is equipped with an Intel Movidis Myriad 2 VPU processor, a stabilisation system and a rechargeable 1100 mAh battery that allows it to fly for up to 13 minutes.
It can be controlled via a mobile application and can be used for various applications: aerial photography, 3D mapping, surveillance, inspection etc.
This programmable Crazyflie drone (ROS compatible) designed by Bitcraze has an exclusive embedded indoor positioning system, for an autonomous flight that’s as precise as when using a GPS!
Fly this swarm of 10 Crazyflie 2.1 drones (ROS compatible) or teach them to fly autonomously with the Loco Positioning System!
The Crazyflie 2.1 quadcopter nano kit, with its USB radio dongle, is a programmable and fully open-source long-range drone (ROS compatible).
Bitcraze has created a new kit for its tiny programmable Crazyflie 2.1 drone(ROS compatible). This time it comes with a radio amplifier and ToF sensor!
You have a programmable Crazyflie drone that’s now ready to explore its environment and embark on its first adventures? Be sure to keep a few compatible spare parts on hand, just in case!
The Crazyflie 2.X LED-ring expansion board will illuminate each of your creations with 12 RGB and 2 white strong LEDs.
Be prepared for all eventualities thanks to these Crazyflie 2.1 motor mounts. What would you do without them?!
If you’ve never experienced the distress of a drone being brought down by a broken propeller, you won’t understand why we find this propeller pack for the Crazyflie 2.X flying robot by Bitcraze so useful!
4 spare brushed motors for your mini Crazyflie 2.1 flying platform.
This Crazyradio 2.0 2.4 GHz module lets you communicate with the Crazyflie robotic platform from a distance of over 1 km.
Use this colour camera module to install a new image capture system for your Crazyflie 2.1 mini-drone.
The active marker deck accessory is designed for the Crazyflie family, and includes the Qualisys QTM motion capture system.
Want to install an SD card reader on your flying Crazyflie 2.1 robotic platform to read or record data in flight?
Make your DJI Tello drone’s flights less risky with this propeller guard set. It will protect both your device... and anyone it might hit!
These two pairs of propellers are designed to fit the DJI Tello Edu drone perfectly. So make sure you always have some in your aeronautics tool kit in case of emergency repairs!
Something’s happened to your battery charger or your Crazyflie 2.1 drone LiPo battery? Don’t panic, these spare parts will come to your rescue!
The Thrust Upgrade Bundle for Crazyflie 2.X is a set of upgrades designed to improve the flight performance of your Crazyflie Drone.