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While ordinary micro-drones are cruising at speeds of 50-60 km/h, a drone weighing only 247 grams has already broken the limit at 340 km/h — this is not the latest product from a tech giant, but a “side project” by Xu Yang, a junior student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). This 2002-born youth from Shenzhen set a Guinness World Record with his homemade FPV drone PROWESS, becoming the fastest micro-drone record holder in the world, prompting netizens to exclaim, “Experts are among the people,” and even calling on DJI to “come and recruit him.”

From the First Test Flight Breaking the Record to Open Source Sharing: Creating the ‘Aerial High-Speed Rail’ in 5 Months

“The pitch of the blades on the market is too small, and the high-speed efficiency is extremely low; flying at 300 km/h is almost a fantasy.” In October 2024, inspired by the insufficient speed of ordinary aircraft, Xu Yang, an electronic computer engineering major, decided to challenge the speed limit of micro-drones.

Without any experience in propeller design? He started from scratch: removing unnecessary screw holes from the blades, using lightweight carbon plates, optimizing aerodynamic layouts… After countless detail improvements, the prototype broke the previous world record of 219 km/h (set by a foreign blogger in 2022) on its first test flight. PROWESS ultimately topped the Guinness certification test with a speed of 340.78 km/h, and under favorable wind conditions, it even reached 358 km/h, equivalent to “high-speed rail flying close to the ground.”

Surprisingly, after setting the record, Xu Yang chose to completely open-source the design: “Anyone can follow the design to make a nearly identical drone.” He hopes to promote the iteration of micro-drone technology by sharing research and development data, allowing more people to take on this “speed challenge.”

From Elementary School Model Aircraft to AI Robot Development: The Growth Trajectory of a Shenzhen ‘Geek’

“Controlling the aircraft as it flies by gives a wonderful feeling of interacting with nature.” Xu Yang’s journey in science and technology began with model aircraft in the fourth grade. During his time at Shenzhen Experimental School, the strong atmosphere of the science and technology festival further fueled his interest, often communicating with global “model friends” about technology, and he became completely immersed in FPV drones in high school.

After entering the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), he made full use of the school’s 3D printers and welding equipment, spending his spare time in the lab refining drones. “He has a strong geek spirit, excellent hands-on ability, and is self-taught,” commented his mentor, Professor Jin Yuhua. Now, Xu Yang is not only deeply involved in the drone field but also participates in the development of AI flying robots, exploring new possibilities for human-machine natural interaction.

“Teachers in Shenzhen never suppress my hobbies, just remind me to ‘focus on learning,'” Xu Yang said. The innovative environment of this city has benefited him for a lifetime — from Baihua Primary School to university laboratories, inclusivity and support have always been the foundation of his growth.

9 Companies Compete to Assist: The Industrial Chain Advantage Achieves ‘Shenzhen Speed’

The success of PROWESS is inseparable from the support of the industrial chain. Currently, 9 upstream and downstream drone companies have actively contacted Xu Yang, providing comprehensive technical support from custom motors, 3D printing equipment to transmission GPS.

“Upon learning that the test results were not ideal, we immediately sent batteries, and unexpectedly, it brought such a big surprise!” said Wang Zhenyuan, deputy general manager of a new energy company in Shenzhen. This collaboration allowed them to see the potential of lightweight drones. A propeller company in Ningbo even provided nearly 10,000 yuan worth of custom parts, with General Manager Cao Huazhong admitting, “The process of assisting in breaking the limit is also a process for us to enhance our design capabilities, which can promote the progress of the entire industry.”

“Most urgently needed parts can often be delivered the next day, which is hard to achieve in other cities,” Xu Yang remarked on the density of the drone industry in Shenzhen — with over 1,700 related companies in the city and an industrial added value of 117 billion yuan, forming a complete ecosystem where “one can build a drone without leaving Shenzhen,” which is the foundation of his rapid product iteration.

Academicians Praise: ‘Showcasing the Innovation and Responsibility of Chinese Youth’

“Not only bringing glory to himself but also adding color to the technological innovation of Chinese youth!” said Xu Yangsheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who is proud of Xu Yang, believing that this achievement proves that “dreams and efforts can create miracles.”

Academician Tang Benzhong of the Chinese Academy of Sciences values the open-source spirit even more: “Technical sharing builds an international communication bridge, reflecting the open innovation characteristics of Shenzhen and showcasing the responsibility of Chinese youth.” In Professor Jin Yuhua’s view, this once again proves that “Chinese people have the ability to break technological monopolies, and Chinese talents are emerging in droves.”

Today, Shenzhen is accelerating the creation of a “Sky City,” incorporating the low-altitude economy into the “20+8” industrial cluster. Xu Yang’s story is a vivid illustration of the innovative vitality of this city — from campus laboratories to the global industrial chain, from youthful interests to world records, the seeds of innovation here always grow into towering trees.

(What scenarios do you think this “high-speed drone” can be applied to in the future? Let’s discuss in the comments section~)

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