Developing in DroneKit with Python

UAV Programming & Simulation: Learn the fundamentals for developing your own drone apps using a Python API!

Takeoff and operate your own drone by programming in Python using UAV development tools!

What you’ll learn

  • Students will develop, analyze, and test Python scripts for UAVs using DroneKit..
  • Students will recognize and apply use cases for UAVs in system simulation..

Course Content

  • Introduction –> 2 lectures • 10min.
  • Connecting to a Vehicle –> 1 lecture • 12min.
  • State and Setting Information –> 1 lecture • 14min.
  • Simple Navigation –> 1 lecture • 17min.
  • Sending MAVLink Messages –> 2 lectures • 30min.
  • Autonomous Missions –> 2 lectures • 41min.
  • Conclusion –> 1 lecture • 1min.

Developing in DroneKit with Python

Requirements

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:

  1. How do you connect a vehicle and launch a python script?
  2. How do you read, set, and monitor vehicle state and setting information?
  3. How do you control the position of a drone?
  4. How do you send commands to a drone through MAVLink messages?
  5. 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!

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