This package has been deprecated

Author message:

Please use package 'rolling-spider' instead

parrot-rolling-spider

Rolling Spider for Node.js

This module is used to send data and commands to a Parrot MiniDrone - Rolling Spider.

It is based off a similar module that is better suited for sending a queue of commands to the drone. This one is hopefully more suited for responding to incoming data such as a joystick being moved around.

Install

Just run the following command to install the module.

npm install parrot-rolling-spider

Status

This module is at state where it can just about be used to fly the drone around. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to develop it further.

Warning

As this module deals with physical things flying around, I would recommend just being extra careful when using it. Although personally I have not managed to injure anyone with it, yet.

Getting Started

There is a few steps you should take when getting started with this. We're going to learn how to get there by building out a simple script that will take off, move forward a little, then land.

Connecting

To connect you need to create a new Drone instance and call the connect function with a callback parameter.

var RollingSpider = require("parrot-rolling-spider");
 
var yourDrone = new RollingSpider();
 
yourDrone.connect(function () {
 
    yourDrone.trim();
    yourDrone.takeOff();
 
    setTimeout(function () {
 
        yourDrone.forward(50);
 
        setTimeout(function () {
 
            yourDrone.land();
 
        }, 500);
 
    }, 3000);
 
});

Done!

And there you have it, you can now control your drone.

Flying Multiple MiniDrones

This module will use the first BLE device that broadcasts with 'RS_' as its localname. If you are flying multiple minidrones or in a very populated BLE area, you will want to use the discovery process in order to identify specifically the drone(s) you want to control. Use the Discovery Tool (lib/discovery.js) to get the UUID of all nearby BLE devices.

Client API

client.takeOff()

Instructs the drone to take off. Please make sure to call client.trim() beforehand to ensure the drone takes off correctly.

client.land()

Instructs the drone to do a soft landing. This can take a few seconds so please be patient.

client.up(speed) / client.down(speed)

Instructs the drone to gain or reduce altitude. speed can be a value from 0 to 100.

client.clockwise(speed) / client.counterClockwise(speed)

Instructs the drone to spin. speed can be a value from 0 to 100.

client.forward(speed) / client.backward(speed)

Instructs the drone to pitch. speed can be a value from 0 to 100.

client.left(speed) / client.right(speed)

Instructs the drone to roll, speed can be a value from 0 to 100.

client.hover()

Instructs the drone to hover.

client.frontFlip()

Causes the drone to do an amazing front flip.

client.backFlip()

Causes the drone to do an amazing back flip.

client.leftFlip()

This has not been confirmed as working.

Causes the drone to do an amazing left flip.

DO NOT USE WITH THE WHEELS ON.

client.rightFlip()

This has not been confirmed as working.

Causes the drone to do an amazing right flip.

DO NOT USE WITH THE WHEELS ON.

client.trim()

Resets the trim so that your drone's flight is stable. It should always be called before taking off.

client.emergencyLand()

Instructs the drone to cut off power to the motors, landing immediately.

Roadmap (TODO)

• Get flips tested
• Add unit-testing for current functionality
• Add media capture functionality
  • Add transfer captured media functionality
• Get battery information
• Get ultrasound information if possible
  • Use ultrasound to verify things like taking off/ landing

Release History

0.1.0 - Able to take off, land, and drift around. Flips not tested yet

1.0.0 - Added a lot of comments. Changed signature of construct function to accept a logging function. Added hover() which stops all movement, not tested yet. Added a ping to maintain connection to the drone. Added restriction on OS in package.json

1.0.1 - Fixed issue with disconnect not calling callback function

1.0.2 - Fixed issue with drone not responding

1.0.3 - Still trying to fix issue with drone not responding

1.0.4 - Actually fixed issue with drone not responding

1.0.5 - Made backflip work

License

Copyright (c) 2015 Chris Taylor. See LICENSE for more details