Students with TI-Nspire CX II graphing calculators can fly Robolink CoDrone Edu drones while learning Python

Robolink has collaborated with Texas Instruments to help teach students drone programming using only TI Nspire CX II graphing calculators (sold here on Amazon) and CoDrone Edu miniature drones.

The CoDrone Edu measures 5.5 x 5.5 x 1.4 in. (138.5 x 138.5 x 34.8 mm) and weighs 2 oz. (57 g). It has up to an 8-minute flight time within an RF range of 164 ft. (50 m), with a 60-minute charge time. The batteries are swappable and extra sets are available. A 12-pack of drones is priced at $3,999 and an individual drone costs $249, but the quoted price can vary depending on the quantity required.

The TI Nspire CX II graphing calculators come with a 320 x 240 3.2-inch LCD screen, 64 MB RAM, and 90 MB of storage. They are powered by a custom ARM9-26EJ-S SoC and support different programming languages, including Python and TI-Basic. These calculators are often used in schools because they are certified for use on standardized exams such as the SAT and ACT. Schools can purchase packages of drones to use with these calculators.

Python has been adopted by many schools as an easy-to-learn programming language to introduce students to software coding. Students only need to download the Python module to their calculators, then connect them to the drone controllers to learn how to program their drones. A menu-driven function look-up system helps minimize coding errors while writing Python code.