Flight Events

Almost every CoDrone program will start with this setup code. Get used to seeing it!

#include <CoDrone.h>

void setup() {
  CoDrone.begin(115200);

  CoDrone.pair();
}

void loop() {

}

Every Arduino sketch includes void setup()and void loop(). Without them, your program won’t run!

• The code that you put inside void setup() will only run once, and that will be at the beginning of your program. One example is when you want to set the baud rate — that does not happen multiple times!
• In void loop(), your code will repeat over and over again. Examples are when your CoDrone is flying in a pattern or using its LEDs.

Short version: code in void setup() runs once and code in void loop() runs for-ev-er.

Learn more on the Arduino website: Setup(), Loop(), Functions

After including the code for connecting your CoDrone, you need to add the CoDrone.takeoff()function.

The first flight event you’re going to use is CoDrone.takeoff(). This always makes the drone hover for 3 seconds in order to stabilize before it executes the next command. If it receives no command for 8 seconds, it will automatically land. The next flight event you’re going to use is CoDrone.land(), which will bring your CoDrone back to the ground.

This is what your code should look like:

#include <CoDrone.h>

void setup() {  
  CoDrone.begin(115200);  
  CoDrone.pair();

  CoDrone.takeoff(); //goes up and hovers for 3 seconds
  CoDrone.land(); //lands the CoDrone 
}

void loop() {
}

If you want your CoDrone to stay in the air for longer than 3 seconds, the best thing to do is add a CoDrone.hover() function in between your takeoff and landing. A hover allows the CoDrone to hover for the amount of seconds that you put in the parentheses. For example, if you want your CoDrone to take off, hover for 2 seconds, then land, you would put CoDrone.hover(2);in your code right after the takeoff command.

This is what your code should look like with the CoDrone.hover() added.

P.S. You do not always need CoDrone.hover() since CoDrone.takeoff() already hovers for 3 seconds.

#include <CoDrone.h>

void setup() {
    CoDrone.begin(115200);
    CoDrone.pair();

    CoDrone.takeoff(); //goes up and hovers for 3 seconds
    CoDrone.hover(2); //hovers for an additional 2 seconds
    CoDrone.land(); //lands the CoDrone 
}

void loop() {
}

You’re a beginner CoDrone pilot so we completely expect accidents to happen. The best way to prevent a disaster is to include a kill switch in your code. That way, if your CoDrone gets out of your control, you can cover some sensors and the motors will immediately turn off.

Make sure to include this block of code in void loop so that when you cover sensors 11 and 14 (pictured below), the motors turn off. We’ll explain it more in the conditionals lesson!

void loop(){
    byte bt8 = digitalRead(18);
    byte bt4 = digitalRead(14);
    byte bt1 = digitalRead(11);

    if(bt1 && bt4 && !bt8){
        CoDrone.emergencyStop();
    }
}

Your final code should look something like this:

#include <CoDrone.h>

void setup() {
    CoDrone.begin(115200);
    CoDrone.pair();

    CoDrone.takeoff(); //goes up and hovers for 3 seconds
    CoDrone.hover(2); //hovers for 2 seconds
    CoDrone.land(); //lands the CoDrone 
}

void loop(){    
    byte bt8 = digitalRead(18);    
    byte bt4 = digitalRead(14);    
    byte bt1 = digitalRead(11);

    if(bt1 && !bt4 && !bt8){    
    CoDrone.emergencyStop();
    }
}

Challenge: CoDrone pushups

Try to make your CoDrone take off and land 5 times in a row with one code! Currently your CoDrone can do one pushup with the code you have.

Rules:

1. The CoDrone must completely leave the ground on takeoff.
2. The CoDrone must be completely back on the ground on landing.
3. There is no height requirement for how high the CoDrone flies.

See who can do the most CoDrone pushups in 10 seconds!