Hangzhou Zhiyuan Research Institute Wearable Flying Device (prototype)

(Photo credit: Hangzhou Zhiyuan Research Institute)

Wearable Flying Device (prototype)
Hangzhou Zhiyuan Research Institute
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
(website unknown)

The information provided here is as accurate as possible; however, eVTOL information from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or conflicting. China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" — a new push for general aviation — which includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo eVTOL aircraft.

The Hangzhou Zhiyuan Research Institute is based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. While little about the institute is available online, we do know that their researchers have developed a one person electric vertical takeoff and landing wearable prototype aircraft. It is unknown if the institute will be designing passenger eVTOL aircraft with a fuselage.

Wearable Flying Device eVTOL prototype aircraft
The Wearable Flying Device is a one person eVTOL tri-ducted (multicopter) prototype aircraft. The researchers have designed the aircraft to make it easy for most people to fly using a ground station-assisted autonomous control system hands-free operation during forward flight, agile maneuverability for aerial tasks and allows for stable hovering. There is also an augmented reality (AR) helmet and joystick controls allowing for intuitive operation. While in autopilot mode, the pilot can disengage from the manual flying controls and focus on other tasks.

While specifications for the personal flying device has not be revealed by the institute, there have been estimated specifications reported online. The possible maximum cruise speed for the flying device is 60 km/h (37 mph), with an expected range of 8 km (5 miles), a possible flight time of 20 minutes and has a potential maximum altitude of 1,000 m (3,280 feet). The flying device has three ducted fans, three electric motors and is most likely powered by battery packs. There are to ducted propellers on either side of the pilot and one ducted propeller in the rear of the flying device. The maximum payload weight might be in the range of 91 kg (200 lb). The device has fixed tricycle strut landing gear.

The institute has reported having completed over 100 test flights during a two year development time period. The flying device completed its first public flight in April 2025, China's Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in China. According to the institute, one of the safety features of the flying device is a one-click pilot-aircraft separation, deploying a low-altitude parachute to ensure a safe forced landing for the pilot.

The researchers foresee their personal flying device to be used for emergency response, tourism, sightseeing, entertainment, electrical maintenance, skyscraper cleaning, border patrol and infrastructure inspection.

The specifications below are estimated. The research facility has not released any specification for the aircraft. It is unknown if the institute will be manufacturing and selling the one person aircraft.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: One person eVTOL wearable aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot with a ground station-assisted control system, with an augmented reality (AR) helmet and joystick controls for intuitive operation
• Maximum cruise speed: 60 km/h (37 mph)
• Range: 8 km (5 miles)
• Flight time: 20 minutes
• Maximum altitude: 1,000 m (3,280 feet)
• Maximum payload weight: ~91 kg  (~200 lb)
• Propellers: 3 ducted fans
• Electric motors: 3 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs (maybe?)
• Frame material: Unknown
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle strut landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. According to the institute, one of the safety features of the flying device is a one-click pilot-aircraft separation, deploying a low-altitude parachute to ensure a safe forced landing for the pilot.

Resources:

• Hangzhou Zhiyuan Research Institute  (website unknown)
• Article: China-developed single-person wearable aircraft completes first public flight, Ecns.cn, Apr. 28, 2025
• Article: China’s Zhiyuan Research Institute “makes first flight of single person wearable eVTOL”, Urban Air Mobility, Apr. 28, 2025
• Article: World's First wearable flying vehicle takes off in China, VN Express, Apr. 29, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 2, Vertiflite, July/August 2025