Features of the VEX AIR Drone – VEX Library

The VEX AIR Drone is a lightweight, modular drone designed for indoor flight. This article provides an overview of its key components, sensor placements, and port locations to help pilots and educators become familiar with the drone's layout and capabilities.

The VEX AIR Drone has the following features:

Built-in sensors that include Range, Vision, and Inertial Sensors for collecting data during a project.
A power button to turn the drone on and off.
LED indicators that show the drone's status or current battery level.
A USB-C port to pair the drone with the VEX AIR Drone Controller.
A battery compartment where batteries can be inserted and removed.
Four propellers that let the drone take off and move.
Four landing feet that are located beneath each propeller guard to support stable landings.
A module port that can be used to attach one of the three available modules for project use.

Sensors

In addition to having an Inertial Sensor that the drone can use to monitor its movement, it also has two Vision Sensors and two Range Sensors.

Vision Sensors

Front view of the Hornet, with the front-facing Vision Sensor visible and highlighted. This sensor points directly forwards.
View of the Hornet from below, with the downward-facing Vision Sensor visible and highlighted. This sensor points directly downwards.

The drone has two Vision Sensors, one on its front (forward-facing) and one beneath it (downward-facing).

These sensors can detect AprilTag IDs. For more information about coding a Vision Sensor, see the VEXcode API Reference for Blocks or Python.

Range Sensors

Front view of the Hornet, with the front-facing Range Sensor visible and highlighted. This sensor points directly forwards.
View of the Hornet from below, with the downward-facing Range Sensor visible and highlighted. This sensor points directly downwards.

Range Sensors are positioned alongside each Vision Sensor (one forward-facing and one downward-facing).

These sensors can measure the distance to nearby objects. For more information about coding the Range Sensor, see the VEXcode API Reference for Blocks or Python.

Components

Power Button

Angled view of the Hornet from above, with its power button highlighted. The power button is on the top of the Hornet's frame and near the front.

The power button is located on the top of the drone.

The drone will automatically turn on when a battery is inserted. To manually turn on the drone, hold the power button until the LED indicator turns white, then release as shown in this animation.

To manually turn off the drone, hold the power button until the LED indicator turns off as shown in this animation.

LED Indicator

Angled view of the Hornet from above, with its LED indicator highlighted next to its power button.

Next to the power button is the drone's LED indicator. This shows the current status or battery level of the drone.

White — The power button can be released to turn on or turn off the drone.
Blue — The Propeller Lock is enabled.
Green — The battery charge is at 50% or higher.
Yellow — The battery charge is between 20-50%.
Red — The battery charge is between 0-20%.

If the LED indicator is blinking, the drone is currently paired to a VEX AIR Drone Controller.

A solid LED indicator means the drone is not currently paired.

USB-C Port

Angled view of the back of the Hornet, with its USB-C port highlighted below the battery compartment.

The USB-C port is located on the back of the drone. It is used for pairing the drone to the controller using a USB cable.

For more information about pairing the drone to the controller, go here.

Battery Compartment

Angled view of the back of the Hornet, with its battery compartment highlighted above the USB-C port.

The battery compartment is located on the back of the drone. This houses the battery during flight.

For more information about the drone's batteries, go here.

Propellers

Angled view of the Hornet from above with its 4 propellers highlighted.

The drone is equipped with four 4-blade propellers that generate lift and control its movement during flight.

For information about maintaining the drone's propellers, go here.

Landing Feet

Angled view of the Hornet from above with its 4 landing feet highlighted. The landing feet are located on the outside of the propeller guards.

Each propeller guard comes with a landing foot, that allows the drone to land safely.

For information about maintaining the drone's landing feet, go here.

Module Port

Angled view of the Hornet from below, with its Mission Module port highlighted. This port is located on the bottom of the frame of the Hornet, between its 4 propellers.

On the underside of the drone is a port where modules can be attached and used during projects.

For information about using modules, go here.