Introduction to Blockly

Blockly is an online application that you can access right from Google Chrome. You can go to it by heading to this url: robolink.com/blockly.  With Blockly, you can pair it to your drone as well as program it in three modes:

• Junior: Simplified block-based coding for beginners
• Senior: For intermediate coders who have some familiarity with block coding
• Master: Text-based coding in Python for advanced students

Since Blockly uses your computer’s Bluetooth to connect to CoDrone, see the next steps to make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements.

You should be running Windows 10 with Version 1803 or greater. To check, hold down the Windows + R keys and search for “winver “. The version you are running of Windows 10 will appear on the window. You may need to update Windows if you have a version below 1803.

If you are using Mac OS, you should have 2012 hardware or newer. Also, check that your machine is enabled with Bluetooth. To check this, go to About this Mac > System Report… > Bluetooth.

Your Google Chrome should be updated to the most recent version. If you are not sure how to check, click on the the menu on the top right, scroll down to “Help”, and select “About Google Chrome”. Google Chrome might automatically update. If not, please update Chrome.

To write your code, drag blocks from the menus on the right to the workspace in the middle of the page. If you want your CoDrone to fly, you need to include takeoff and land blocks from the flight commands menu.

To delete blocks, separate what you want to get rid of from your code and drag them to the trashcan in the lower righthand corner. If you want to delete your entire program, you can drag the whole thing to the trashcan.

To see what your program looks like in Python, Javascript, or Arduino, click on one of the coding language icons on the right side of the workspace.

Make sure you save! You can do this by going to the menu in the upper lefthand corner of the workspace and clicking on “Save”. To open a saved program, go to the same menu and click on “Open…”.

Once you’re ready to run your code, connect to your CoDrone by clicking on the green connect button in the bottom lefthand corner. A list of devices should come up. Select the one that says “Petrone (# on the underside of your drone)”.

If you have connected your drone before and want to use the same one, click on “Pair with Previous” instead.

Note: Do not plug in the Bluetooth module to pair the CoDrone Pro in Blockly. Once the drone is powered on it will be detected in the pair menu by your laptop. Select the Petrone device in the pair menu to pair your drone in Blockly.

Note: If you have trouble pairing, make sure your device meets the minimum requirements listed at the top of this lesson or found here. Remember, your computer must meet these requirements and Blockly will not work if you try to connect your Bluetooth module or your remote controller to the computer.

Click on “Run code” on the upper lefthand side of your workspace to get your drone flying with your code! If you need to stop your drone for any reason during its flight, click on “Stop”, which is right next to the “Run code” button.