DJI Tello Controller

A professional Python SDK for controlling DJI Tello drones with advanced flight patterns, computer vision capabilities, and comprehensive safety features.

🚁 Features

• ✈️ Advanced Flight Control: Takeoff, landing, precise movement in all directions
• 📷 Real-time Camera Streaming: Live video feed with photo capture capabilities
• 🎯 Complex Flight Patterns: Automated sequences, geometric patterns, and custom maneuvers
• 🛡️ Safety First: Comprehensive battery monitoring, emergency protocols, and error handling
• 👁️ Computer Vision Ready: OpenCV integration for image processing and autonomous navigation
• 📊 Flight Data: Real-time telemetry and flight status monitoring

📁 Project Structure

tello_controller/
├── src/
│   ├── tello_controller.py    # Core drone control interface
│   ├── flight_control.py      # Advanced flight pattern implementations
│   └── utils.py              # Helper functions and utilities
├── examples/
│   ├── basic_flight_demo.py   # Simple takeoff, movement, and landing demo
│   └── advanced_patterns.py   # Complex flight patterns and maneuvers
├── photos/                    # Captured drone photos
├── tests/                     # Unit tests and test fixtures
├── requirements.txt          # Python dependencies
└── README.md                # Project documentation

🔧 Prerequisites

• DJI Tello or Tello EDU drone
• Python 3.8 or higher
• WiFi-enabled computer
• Well-ventilated, open flying area

🚀 Quick Start

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/curohn/tello_controller.git
   cd tello_controller

2. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Connect to Tello:

   • Power on your Tello drone
   • Connect your computer to the Tello WiFi network (TELLO-XXXXXX)
   • Wait for solid connection light

Basic Usage

Run the basic flight demonstration:

python examples/basic_flight_demo.py

Experience advanced flight patterns:

python examples/advanced_patterns.py

💻 API Reference

Core Controller

from src.tello_controller import TelloController

# Initialize controller
drone = TelloController()

# Connect and perform basic flight
if drone.connect():
    drone.takeoff()
    drone.move_forward(100)  # Move 100cm forward
    drone.rotate_clockwise(90)  # Turn 90 degrees
    drone.land()
    drone.disconnect()

Advanced Flight Control

from src.flight_control import FlightController

# Initialize advanced controller
controller = FlightController()

if controller.connect():
    # Execute predefined patterns
    controller.fly_square_pattern(100)  # 100cm square
    controller.fly_circle_pattern(50)   # 50cm radius circle
    controller.perform_flip_sequence()  # Multiple flips
    
    controller.disconnect()

Available Commands

Category	Command	Description
Movement	move_forward(distance)	Move forward by distance (cm)
	move_back(distance)	Move backward by distance (cm)
	move_left(distance)	Move left by distance (cm)
	move_right(distance)	Move right by distance (cm)
	move_up(distance)	Move up by distance (cm)
	move_down(distance)	Move down by distance (cm)
Rotation	rotate_clockwise(degrees)	Rotate clockwise
	rotate_counter_clockwise(degrees)	Rotate counter-clockwise
Advanced	flip(direction)	Perform flip ('l', 'r', 'f', 'b')
	go_xyz_speed(x, y, z, speed)	Move to coordinates with speed
Camera	streamon()	Enable video streaming
	streamoff()	Disable video streaming
	take_picture()	Capture and save photo
Status	get_battery()	Get battery percentage
	get_height()	Get current height (cm)
	get_temperature()	Get internal temperature

🛡️ Safety Guidelines

⚠️ SAFETY FIRST: Always prioritize safety when operating drones

• 🏞️ Environment: Fly only in open areas away from people, buildings, and obstacles
• 🔋 Battery: Monitor battery levels constantly; land when below 20%
• 📡 Connection: Maintain strong WiFi connection; have manual override ready
• 🌤️ Weather: Avoid flying in windy, rainy, or poor visibility conditions
• 📋 Regulations: Understand and comply with local drone regulations
• 👥 Supervision: Never leave drone unattended during operation

🔧 Configuration

Environment Variables

Create a .env file for custom configurations:

TELLO_TIMEOUT=10
PHOTO_DIRECTORY=photos
LOG_LEVEL=INFO

Safety Limits

Default safety parameters can be configured in src/utils.py:

• Minimum battery level: 20%
• Maximum flight height: 100m
• Connection timeout: 10 seconds

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Connection Problems

• ✅ Ensure Tello is powered and in WiFi mode
• ✅ Verify computer connection to Tello network
• ✅ Check for interference from other WiFi networks
• ✅ Restart drone and retry connection

Flight Issues

• ✅ Confirm battery level above 20%
• ✅ Calibrate drone on flat surface before flight
• ✅ Check for adequate flying space
• ✅ Verify no GPS interference (indoor flying)

Import/Installation Issues

• ✅ Confirm Python 3.8+ installation
• ✅ Reinstall dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt --force-reinstall
• ✅ Check virtual environment activation

🧪 Testing

Run the test suite:

python -m pytest tests/

Run with coverage:

python -m pytest tests/ --cov=src/

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please follow these steps:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

Development Setup

# Clone your fork
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/tello_controller.git
cd tello_controller

# Install development dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt
pip install -r requirements-dev.txt

# Install pre-commit hooks
pre-commit install

📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• DJI for creating the Tello drone platform
• djitellopy - Python SDK for Tello drones
• OpenCV - Computer vision capabilities
• Community contributors who have helped improve this project

📚 Resources

• DJI Tello SDK 2.0 Documentation
• djitellopy Documentation
• OpenCV Python Tutorials
• Drone Safety Guidelines

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Happy Flying! 🚁✨

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