Lecture Hardware handout

During this lecture we will

  • Divide you into groups
  • Hand out the hardware
  • Assemble the hardware and perform initial tests of the hardware

Groups

You can find the group you have been assigned to in "Groups" under Canvas. The groups are called PRAS19_Group X. 

NOTE: You will be assigned a group only after you get the flight camp certificate (present your work and upload the code).

Hardware

Each group will be given the following hardware

You will receive the Crazyflie partly assembled (base + battery + camera mount) as shown in the picture below. The camera mount takes quite a bit of force to add the first time and the risk of bending / destroying pins is very high.

The radio communication will be set up to alleviate radio interference when you all start them at the lecture. 

Hand out of hardware

One person in each group needs to sign a paper to acknowledge that you received the hardware. We expect to get it back when the course is done. 

We understand that some things can break. There are a number of spare parts provided with the Crazyflie. However, we expect that you

  • take good care of the hardware and
  • not to abuse it and
  • think before you connect things.

Please note the following before you do anything

  • Be careful when you pull out the USB cable from the Crazyflie. Pull straight out and apply no bending force on the connector on the PCB. The risk of the connector breaking without abuse is *very* slim. So, if you come with a connector that has fallen off, we know what you did... 
  • Be very careful when you disconnect the battery (do not pull using the cables, pull in the connectors)
  • Connect the camera correctly. If you are unsure, do not connect before consulting the page Crazyflie hardware camera.

Safety rules

  • You can only fly in spaces where there are no other people or where you can ensure the safety of other people. If you lose control of the drone it can fly quite far and fast.
    • The best is that there are no other people.
    • If there are other people they need to be on the alert and focus on the drone when it flies. 
  • You are only allowed to fly the drone when wearing googles or other glasses
  • Before you order the drone to take off you need to be 100% sure that you have connected to the right drone. If there is the smallest amount of uncertainty, do not fly. Someone might have his/her head over the drone you are actually controlling and would then get it in his/her face if you take off.
  • If you are caught putting other people or yourself in danger the equipment will be taken away from you.

 

Setup the hardware

Follow the guides in the following pages

Crazyflie hardware basics

Crazyflie hardware camera

Crazyflie hardware and ROS