Hubei Post-2000 Self-Taught Maker Builds Spider-Man Flying Skateboard with AI Balance Assist
Bastillepost · 4 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago8 MIN
Summary
A self-taught young innovator from Hubei province has successfully built a manned electric flying skateboard inspired by the Green Goblin device from Spider-Man movies. Song Xingyu (宋興宇), who dropped out of high school at age 14, spent over two months developing the aircraft after an initial failure with turbojet engines. The 2.0 version uses 10 brushless motors generating enough thrust to lift four adults, with an AI system providing real-time voice guidance through Bluetooth earphones to help maintain balance during flight.
Key Points
- Song Xingyu, a post-2000 tech blogger known online as "Shenqi Ayu" (神奇阿宇), hails from Badong County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hubei. He dropped out of school at 14 and worked in his father's wood workshop before receiving an old tablet computer that introduced him to foreign flight testing programs .
- His first prototype version 1.0 was equipped with 5 mini turbojet engines capable of generating enough thrust to lift three adults. However, during the first integrated test, the engines caught fire, destroying all fuel and electrical systems. AI analysis later revealed that the engines were placed too close together, causing hot exhaust gases to be re-ingested .
- After receiving AI recommendations, Song pivoted to an electric propulsion system, completing version 2.0 within approximately two months. The new skateboard features 10 high-power brushless motor units, each producing over 30 kilograms of thrust, with peak current reaching 2,000 amperes—sufficient to support the weight of four adults .
- To solve the challenging balance control problem, Song ingeniously constructed an AI assistance system using two smartphones. One phone installed inside the skateboard collects real-time flight attitude data, while the other is worn on the wrist. The AI analyzes the data and provides voice commands through Bluetooth earphones, such as "weight shifted left" or "bend right knee," helping the operator adjust their center of gravity .
- On October 13, 2026, Song successfully demonstrated his flying skateboard at a tech launch event in Shanghai, flying from one side of the stage to the center with stable low-altitude hovering and straight-line flight. After more than 10 days of intensive training, he has mastered basic hovering and linear flight techniques .
Why It Matters
This project demonstrates how young self-taught innovators with limited formal education can achieve remarkable technological breakthroughs by combining passion with AI-assisted design analysis. The flying skateboard represents a practical application of personal flight technology that could inspire future developments in urban air mobility. Hong Kong readers familiar with the Spider-Man franchise can appreciate how this young maker transformed a cinematic villain's weapon into a working prototype, showcasing the growing accessibility of aerospace knowledge through online learning .
This project demonstrates how young self-taught innovators with limited formal education can achieve remarkable technological breakthroughs by combining passion with AI-assisted design analysis. The flying skateboard represents a practical application of personal flight technology that could inspire future developments in urban air mobility. Hong Kong readers familiar with the Spider-Man franchise can appreciate how this young maker transformed a cinematic villain's weapon into a working prototype, showcasing the growing accessibility of aerospace knowledge through online learning .