Remote Control

So far you've only done autonomous programming with your CoDrone --- once you upload the program, it takes off, flies, and lands on its own. You get to move on to a remote control now --- you'll program your computer keys to control the CoDrone once it's up in the air!
CoDrone Blockly junior cover CoDrone Blockly junior cover

This lesson works with:

CoDrone Pro/Lite
Blockly
  • beginner
  • Blockly
  • CoDrone
  • keyboard
  • programming
  • remote control

Grade level:

3 - 12+

Approx. time required:

30 - 45 mins
CSTA

1B-AP-09

3-5

Create programs that use variables to store and modify data.

1B-AP-10

3-5

Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals.

1B-AP-15

3-5

Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended.

1B-AP-17

3-5

Describe choices made during program development using code comments, presentations, and demonstrations.

1B-CS-03

3-5

Determine potential solutions to solve simple hardware and software problems using common troubleshooting strategies.

2-AP-11

6-8

Create clearly named variables that represent different data types and perform operations on their values.

2-AP-12

6-8

Design and iteratively develop programs that combine control structures, including nested loops and compound conditionals.

2-CS-03

6-8

Systematically identify and fix problems with computing devices and their components.
CCSS

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 Language Arts

Grade 4

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7 Language Arts

Grade 5

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Language Arts

Grade 6

Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Language Arts

6-8

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7 Language Arts

Grade 8

Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

Read More

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.9 Language Arts

6-8

Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Math

Grade 3

Use appropriate tools strategically.

Read More

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7 Math

Grade 5

Look for and make use of structure.

Read More
Step 1

Keyboard input

You may be wondering how to use the keyboard to control CoDrone. In the first activity, you will learn how to use your spacebar to turn on your CoDrone LEDs. First, set your arm and eye LEDs to blue with brightness 1 to turn the LED’s “off”.

CoDrone Blockly junior LED blocks set to blue and 1
Step 2

Forever loop

Since you want your program to constantly check if you are pressing a key, you will need to implement a forever loop. For this example, use a repeat loop block and connect an “is code running?” block from the status checkers menu.

CoDrone Blockly junior LED blocks set to blue and 1 and forever loop
Step 3

Conditional

Now it’s time to check for keyboard input! Remember that when a program needs to make a decision, you should use a conditional statement. Go to the logic menu and grab a conditional block. In the keyboard menu, grab a “When backspace key press” block. From the drop-down menu, select “spacebar”.

CoDrone Blockly junior LED blocks set to blue and 1, forever loop, and spacebar

If the spacebar is pressed, you want your CoDrone LEDs to turn on. Else, turn them off by resetting the value of the interval back to 1.

CoDrone Blockly junior LED keyboard input complete code
Step 4

Wait block

You will need to add a wait block after the conditional statement. This is because if you press and hold the spacebar, you will be sending multiple messages to CoDrone. A delay of 50 milliseconds (0.5 seconds) will be enough to prevent CoDrone from disconnecting.

CoDrone Blockly junior LED keyboard input complete code with wait block
Step 5

More keys

If you want to check for multiple key presses, you will need to include an else if statement for each new key.

CoDrone Blockly junior LED keyboard input complete code with expanded gear icon
CoDrone Blockly junior LED keyboard input complete code with else if statement and up key input
Step 6

Adding flight commands

Now that you have the basic idea, instead of changing LEDs, you will be adding flight commands! Start a new file and set up the structure of the five conditional statements you will use for forward, backward, left, right, and emergency stop. 

CoDrone Blockly junior keyboard remote control frame

Next, add in your flight commands. In this controller, you will move in corresponding directions for half a second. If the spacebar is pressed, the drone should emergency stop and exit out of the forever loop. If no key is being pressed, the drone should hover.

CoDrone Blockly junior basic keyboard remote control program
Step 7

Challenge

Activity: Obstacle Course 

Now that you have your new flight controller, build an obstacle course and try to fly to the finish line without hitting anything! If you need to, adjust the values of the delays and add more keys for more functionality!

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