Fly Parrot MiniDrones with Node

This package wraps the BlueTooth low energy library Noble to expose a simple API for flying Parrot MiniDrones. That includes the Rolling Spider, Airborne Cargo, Night and Hydrofoil models. Unlike other libraries that are designed to run stepped commands, this library is designed to allow continuous control through any input device.

View the documentation

Dependencies

• Noble requires Xcode. Download and install the latest version from Apple's developer network
• Node >= 6.0.0

Get Started in 60 Seconds

1. Grab the module npm install parrot-minidrone
2. Create index.js with the below code
3. Run the script node index.js

const Drone = require('parrot-minidrone');
const drone = new Drone({
    autoconnect: true,
});

drone.on('connected', () => drone.takeOff());
drone.on('flightStatusChange', (status) => {
    if (status === 'hovering') {
        drone.land();
        process.exit();
    }
});

Examples

In the examples folder of this library are a few scripts using the API to fly drones with various input devices.

Dualshock PlayStation Controller

Follow these directions from the root of the project to fly with a PS3/4 controller

1. Turn on the drone
2. Plug in the controller via USB or connect to your computer via Bluetooth
3. Run node examples/dualshock-ps3-controller/drone.js
4. Wait to see the drone connected message in the console output

Control Layout

Button	Function
Right Analog Stick	Altitude, yaw
Left Analog Stick	Roll, pitch
Square	Flat-trim
Triangle	Toggle takeoff & land
Circle	Emergency landing
X	Take a picture
L1	Left flip
R1	Right Flip
L2	Front Flip
R2	Back Flip

Keyboard

To fly with the keyboard follow the below instructions.

1. Turn on the drone
2. Run node examples/keyboard/drone.js
3. Wait to see the drone connected message in the console output

Control Layout

Key	Function
Arrow Up	Pitch +
Arrow Down	Pitch -
Left Arrow	Roll left
Left Arrow	Roll right
w	Altitude +
s	Altitude +
a	Yaw left
d	Yaw right
t	Toggle takeoff & land
f	Flattrim
Escape	Emergency land

Tests

To run the test runner execute npm test.

Changelog

1.0.3

• Event battery change event
• Fix issue with an error being thrown during connection on some Bluetooth devices

1.0.2

• Documentation
• Unit tests
• Flips interface