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Getting Started with MATLAB Support Package for Parrot Drones

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This example shows how to use the MATLAB® Support Package for Parrot® Drones to perform the basic flight operations on the drone such as take-off, land, and fly along a path.

Introduction

The MATLAB Support Package for Parrot Drones enables you to control a Parrot drone from a computer running MATLAB.

The support package includes functions to pilot a Parrot drone by sending the commands to control its direction, speed, and orientation, and read the flight navigation data such as speed, height, and orientation.

In this example you will learn how to create a parrot object to control and fly the Parrot drone from within MATLAB.

Prerequisites

If you are new to MATLAB, it is helpful to read the Getting Started section of the MATLAB documentation and running Getting Started with MATLAB example.

Required Hardware

To run this example you need the following:

  • A fully charged Parrot FPV drone

  • A computer with a Wi-Fi® connection

Important Pre-Flight Safety Considerations

Before flying the Parrot drone, ensure the following safety procedures:

  • Ensure the safety of people, animals, and property in the vicinity of the flight.

  • Wear safety glasses at all times.

  • Place the drone on a flat surface before starting.

  • Fly the drone only indoors, with an open area greater than 10x10 feet, over a non-glossy floor.

Task 1 - Hardware Setup

  • Power on the Parrot FPV drone, wait for the LEDs on the camera to stabilize.

  • Connect your computer to the drone's Wi-Fi® network.

Task 2 - Create a Parrot Object

Create a parrot object.

  p = parrot();

Task 3 - Take-Off and Land the Drone

Take off the Parrot FPV drone from a level surface.

Execute the following command at the MATLAB command prompt the takeoff of the drone.

  takeoff(p);

The Parrot drone moves up vertically, and remains there.

Land the drone.

  land(p);

Task 4 - Fly the Drone Along a Square Path

Take-off and move the drone forward for 2 seconds and turn the drone by pi/2 radians (90 degrees) at each square vertex.

Repeat this action 4 times (vertices of a square) to make the drone navigate a square path and return it to the starting position.

Use the BatteryLevel property of the drone to ensure there is enough battery charge left for flight.

  takeoff(p);
  movement_step = 1;
   while(movement_step <= 4 && p.BatteryLevel > 10)
    moveforward(p, 2);
    turn(p, deg2rad(90));
    movement_step = movement_step + 1;
   end

You can also increase the duration argument in moveforward function to make the drone move forward for more time. Use the optional tilt argument in the moveforward function to vary the speed of drone.

Land the drone.

  land(p);

Task 5 - Fly the Drone Along a Circular Path

Take-off the drone and control the Roll angle and RotationSpeed of the drone to make the drone fly along the perimeter of a circle.

Execute the following command at the MATLAB command prompt to fly the drone in a circle for 5 seconds.

  takeoff(p);
  move(p, 5, 'Roll', deg2rad(4), 'RotationSpeed', deg2rad(120));

Vary the value of RotationSpeed NV pair to adjust the speed of drone revolution.

Land the drone.

  land(p);

Task 6 - Fly the Drone Along a Diagonal Path

Take-off and move the drone along a diagonal path in the horizontal plane by adjusting the Pitch and Roll angles.

Execute the following command at the MATLAB command prompt to fly the drone along a diagonal path for 5 seconds.

  takeoff(p);
  move(p, 5, 'Pitch', deg2rad(-4), 'Roll', deg2rad(4));

Vary the Pitch and Roll NV pairs to adjust the speed of the drone.

Land the drone.

  land(p);

Task 7 - Clean Up

When finished clear the parrot object.

  clear p;