On March 23, 2025, a compact micro quadcopter weighing only 247 grams broke the Guinness World Record with an astonishing ground speed of 340.78 kilometers per hour, becoming the fastest remote-controlled micro quadcopter in the world.
This aircraft, named “Prowess,” was created by Xu Yang, a third-year student at the School of Science and Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). This achievement, equivalent to the speed of high-speed rail, not only broke a record that had stood for three years but also represents a significant breakthrough for Chinese youth in extreme drone technology.In October 2024, Xu Yang saw a challenge initiated by a blogger named QUADMOVR on an overseas social platform: to create a drone weighing no more than 250 grams that could exceed a speed of 250 kilometers per hour. Although the blogger’s prototype only reached 219 kilometers per hour, it became the opportunity for Xu Yang to take on the challenge.Every gram is meticulously calculated, with costs under 3000 yuanThe biggest highlight of “Prowess” is the extreme control over weight and power. In the design of the aircraft, Xu Yang allocated the total weight of 247 grams with precision. He admitted, “In theory, all weight should serve the propulsion system; other structures are just there to support its operation.”
To achieve this, he developed a complete set of core components: an ultra-lightweight truss carbon fiber frame weighing only 22 grams,3D printed fairings with a thickness of only 0.4 millimeters and a weight of just 10 grams, yet possessing an eggshell-like rigid structure that remains stable during high-speed flight.
The real breakthrough lies in the propellers. Existing propeller designs on the market could not meet the demands of ultra-high speeds, so Xu Yang began to independently develop high-speed blades andproduced them using light-cured 3D printing technology. After five rounds of optimization, the fourth version he developed not only increased flight speed by 10% but also reduced energy consumption, providing crucial support for breaking the record.The total material cost of the entire project was less than 3000 yuan, “cheaper than the Guinness review fee,” Xu Yang joked.
For Xu Yang, this record is not only a demonstration of technology but also an exploration of the limits of drone design. He emphasized, “The challengers of speed are not competitors but collaborators and helpers. If someone comes to challenge this record in the future, I will definitely share my experiences.”Note: This content is compiled from public reports by Beijing Youth Daily and Cover News.
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