What seemed like a typical racing drone has achieved something extraordinary. Built in a family garage in South Africa and crafted almost entirely on a consumer 3D printer, this drone has earned the title of the fastest quadcopter in the world, officially certified by Guinness World Records. Meet the Peregreen V4, a remarkable creation by father-and-son duo Mike and Luke Bell, who defied expectations and technical boundaries to achieve speeds that outpace high-speed trains.
Peregreen V4: Outpacing High-Speed Trains
The Peregreen V4 isn’t just another high-speed drone—it’s a record-breaker. This small yet powerful quadcopter reached an average speed of 657.6 km/h (408.7 mph), which is nearly twice the top speed of a French TGV train. Flying near Cape Town, the team managed to clock speeds over 650 km/h, taking the title of the fastest four-rotor drone in history. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that the drone was built in a humble garage using accessible tools and materials, making the achievement all the more inspiring.
Persistence Pays Off: Three Guinness Records for Speed
Mike and Luke Bell’s journey to the record books didn’t happen overnight. This marks the third time they’ve set a Guinness World Record for drone speed. Over two years, they perfected their designs, each iteration slightly faster and more refined than the last. Their approach, which includes obsessive attention to detail, 3D printing, and aerodynamics simulations, culminated in the Peregreen V4, their fastest and most advanced drone yet. The duo’s dedication proves that even small teams can achieve monumental feats.
3D Printing and Aerodynamics: Keys to Success
The Peregreen V4 is a triumph of design and engineering. The entire drone structure, including the frame, landing gear, and camera pod, was printed on a consumer-grade Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer. This design minimizes joints and surface bumps, reducing aerodynamic drag. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations played a crucial role in shaping the drone’s body to optimize airflow, ensuring minimal resistance at high speeds. With smoother surfaces and meticulously tested geometry, the Peregreen V4 is built to cut through the air efficiently, reaching speeds previously thought impossible for DIY drones.
Beyond the Record: Implications for Drone Technology
While the Peregreen V4’s speed may seem like a niche achievement, it holds important implications for the future of drone technology. High-speed drones like this serve as flying test beds, providing valuable data on materials, flight-control software, and aerodynamic behavior. These insights can be applied to a wide range of practical applications such as logistics, emergency response, and military operations. Additionally, the lessons learned from flying at such high speeds can help improve drone stability and precision, benefiting slower, more practical drones used in everyday tasks.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Quadcopter | A drone with four rotors, each with its own motor, controlled together for lift and steering. |
| kV (motor rating) | Revolutions per minute per volt. A 900 kV motor spins about 900 rpm for each volt supplied, without load. |
| CFD | Computational Fluid Dynamics, a method of simulating how air flows around objects using numerical models. |
| Drag | The aerodynamic force that resists motion through air and limits top speed. |
| Brushless motor | A highly efficient electric motor without brushes, common in drones and electric vehicles. |
