Project Hub /Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)/Quadcopter / Multirotor Drones/Voice Command Controlled Drone

Intermediate

RASPBERRY PI

Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Voice Command Controlled Drone

Build a ground control station using a Raspberry Pi and AIY Voice Bonnet to control a Tello drone using voice commands.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+ 1.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core Processor with 1 GB Ram (Original) Rs. 9,810.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
Drone Parts (ESC / propeller / flight controller / BLDC)
Ethernet / W5500
AIY Voice Bonnet

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How It Works

The Voice Command Controlled Drone system operates as an interactive ground control station powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 running Raspbian OS. At the heart of the audio input processing is the AIY Voice Bonnet, which captures spoken commands via a microphone setup connected to the single-board computer. The system software relies on Python, leveraging the Speech_recognition and PyAudio modules to record, parse, and translate acoustic voice inputs into recognizable textual commands. Once a spoken command—such as takeoff, landing, or directional movement—is identified by the script, the control logic interfaces with the TelloPython library. This library packages the instructions into appropriate network packets that are transmitted to the Tello Drone over a local wireless or tethered network connection, established using an Ethernet cable or USB tethering. The Raspberry Pi connects to an HDMI display or external monitor and can be managed via a laptop, allowing developers to monitor script execution and debug the command pipeline in real time. By bridging local audio hardware with programmatic drone APIs, the system translates human speech into actionable radio or network telemetry that pilots the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Why Build This

Develop assistive technology applications that enable physically challenged individuals to operate unmanned aerial vehicles hands-free.

Implement advanced Python-based software integration combining local speech recognition modules with external hardware network libraries.

Design and deploy an embedded ground control station utilizing a Raspberry Pi and specialized voice-processing interface hardware.

Real-World Application

Assisted technology for physically challenged individuals to operate drones, and hands-free UAV operation for industrial or recreational use.

Skills You'll Learn

Speech recognition processing

Python API integration

network packet transmission

peripheral device interfacing

asynchronous command handling

embedded Linux configuration

Safety Precautions

Ensure safe flying distance and proper clearance when testing drone flight commands indoors or outdoors.

Technology Tags

PYTHON

SPEECH RECOGNITION

PYAUDIO

AIY VOICE BONNET

TELLO DRONE

UAV

WI-FI

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any microphone with the Raspberry Pi for this project?

The project specifically utilizes the AIY Voice Bonnet for audio capture, which is designed to interface directly with the Raspberry Pi's GPIO and audio headers.

How does the Raspberry Pi communicate with the Tello drone?

The Raspberry Pi connects to the Tello drone over a network connection, utilizing the TelloPython library to send programmatic flight commands over Wi-Fi or tethered configurations.

Do I need a dedicated monitor attached to the Raspberry Pi at all times?

An HDMI display or monitor is useful during initial setup and debugging, but the system can also be accessed and monitored remotely via a connected laptop.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-00419