Device Setup

This lesson will go over the following steps:

• Install latest Python release (v3.7 or above)
• Install PyCharm Edu
• Set up PyCharm Edu for CoDrone Mini
• Run the test program
• Label your micro USB cable

If you have any trouble completing these steps throughout the lesson, please reach out to us on the forum so that we can help you get started!

Install Python on your Mac or Windows machine. If you’re using a guest or limited account, make sure you have access to admin credentials for installing new software on the computer. This is especially important for students using a school computer or parent computer with limited access. If you’re on a Mac computer, you may need to modify the security settings in system preferences in order to download software.

Click here to go to the Python website and download Python.

Next, install PyCharm Edu, which is what we’ll use for writing out our Python code and running it on CoDrone Mini.

Note: If you choose not to use PyCharm and prefer your own editor or IDE, you will need to know how to install packages on your platform of choice. If you are not sure how to do this, we recommend installing PyCharm and following the next step to see how to install the library.

To use CoDrone Mini with PyCharm, you will need to open a new project with the right environment and install the CoDrone Mini library. Follow the videos below to get started.

To make sure you have everything installed, let’s run a test program. First, connect your controller to your controller and power on your CoDrone Mini.

Now you are going to run a simple test code that will make your drone take off, hover, and land. Copy and paste the following code into a new file and run the program. Make sure you have enough space! If you have trouble pairing, move on to the next step.

import CoDrone_mini

drone = CoDrone_mini.CoDrone()
drone.pair()

drone.takeoff()
drone.hover(3)
drone.land()

If you were able to pair successfully in the last step, you can skip the driver installation. Some devices will not recognize the CoDrone Mini controller so you will need to download a driver. You can download the driver below for your device:

Download MacOS Driver

Download Windows Driver

ATTENTION: The drivers for CoDrone Mini and CoDrone Lite/Pro are different. Make sure you install from the links above if you are using CoDrone Mini.

Mark the USB cable that came in the package with a tape—choose something obvious, like a colorful tape. This is because some USB cables only provide power but don’t transfer data, so you’ll want to distinguish it from others.

You are ready to start learning Python with CoDrone Mini! Click the next lesson to get started. Please leave any feedback or issues you had on our forum.