In the global landscape of the consumer security market, one name is emerging as a technology leader — Chen Shaoneng, a 1995 alumnus majoring in Electronic Engineering Technology from Shantou University, and current General Manager of Guangdong Hongshi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. A tech pioneer nurtured in STU’s laboratories, he has led his company from video capture card R&D to a top‑10 global industry giant by upholding the first principles mindset. Over more than 20 years of dedication, he embodies the down‑to‑earth character of STU engineering graduates.
STU Labs: Sowing the Seeds of Technology and Pragmatism
In 1991, Chen Shaoneng enrolled in the Electronic Engineering Technology program at Shantou University, beginning a lifelong connection with electronic technology. Rooted in STU’s “theory plus practice” education model, the course
Principles of Microcontrollers introduced him to embedded development, while
C Language Programming opened the door to software logic.
“Back then, I spent most of my time in the lab. The flickering oscilloscopes, the smell of solder, and the dense jumper wires on breadboards remain my most vivid memories of youth,” Chen recalled.
It was in that brightly lit laboratory that he made the leap from textbook knowledge to tangible creation. By graduation, he could independently design prototypes of simple security devices — a “from 0 to 1” practical ability that became his key to entering the industry.
“STU taught me not only technology but also dedication to details and reverence for quality,” he said. “Countless failed and repeated experiments shaped my habit of seeing through phenomena to the essence — the very first principles that have sustained me ever since.”
From Video Capture Cards to Global Security Leader: Navigating Industry Cycles with Technology
After graduating in 1995, Chen started with video capture card R&D, gathering frontline demands and gradually identifying industry pain points: core technologies for video capture cards were monopolized by Japanese and Korean companies, resulting in high prices and insufficient practicality.
“Could we create affordable yet reliable surveillance products?” The idea took root. In 2001, he founded Guangzhou Hongshi Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., officially entering the consumer security sector.
From its early days, Hongshi set the goal of “making cameras think like smart stewards”. Backed by decades of technological accumulation, the company launched low‑power surveillance cameras in 2018, which quickly took the market by storm and marked a pivotal turning point. In 2021, Chen built a 30,000‑square‑meter intelligent industrial park in Zhaoqing Dinghu, with annual production exceeding 10 million units. By 2025, annual sales of Hongshi intelligent cameras surpassed 10 million units, covering 193 countries and regions, ranking among the top 10 globally in consumer security.
Facing the global chip shortage crisis in 2020, Chen led his team to plan ahead: securing production capacity and inventory while developing alternative solutions. As competitors scaled back, Hongshi expanded its market share against the trend.
“Running a business requires looking beyond the present, anticipating industry trends, and building barriers through technology,” he noted.
Today, Hongshi masters a full technology stack from cloud platforms and mobile apps to embedded hardware development. It holds core advantages in AI large‑model algorithms and solar ultra‑low‑power technologies, enabling cameras to produce full‑color high‑definition footage even in unlit nighttime environments.
Industry Insight: From “Seeing” to “Understanding” — AI Reconstructing the Security Ecosystem
In Chen’s view, the consumer security market is undergoing a revolutionary upgrade from “being able to see” to “being able to understand”.
“Cameras used to be mere recording tools; in the future, they will become intelligent companions capable of comprehension,” he pointed out.
AI large‑model technology is enabling a qualitative leap: cameras can not only accurately identify people, vehicles and pets, but also analyze behavioral patterns — such as detecting falls among the elderly, abnormal conditions of children, and even generating event summaries for users.
Meanwhile, breakthroughs in solar micropower technology have resolved longstanding industry challenges of power consumption and monitoring continuity, allowing security devices to truly achieve “24/7 online status”.
“Traditional surveillance products will gradually be replaced by AI‑enabled new models within the next two years. Only companies with technological edges can seize the global market,” Chen stated. “Our goal is to equip every camera with the ability to ‘think’, providing users with more proactive and intelligent security protection.”
Message to Juniors: Master Your Skills Before Chasing Trends
As an industry leader from STU, Chen has sincere expectations for current students:
“Don’t rush to chase trends. Master the fundamentals first. If you can write clean code and solder stable circuits, you will always have confidence wherever you go.”
He advised students to spend more time in labs and develop problem‑solving abilities through practice. For internships, there is no need to blindly pursue big names — core technical positions in smaller companies often build more comprehensive capabilities.
To young people considering entrepreneurship, he posed three essential questions:
“What problem can you solve that others cannot? Do you have sufficient technological accumulation? How many failures can you endure?”
He emphasized that entrepreneurship is not impulsive adventure but long‑term commitment.
“The hallmark of STU engineers is pragmatism. Excel in every small detail, and success will follow naturally.”
Today, Hongshi Intelligent is a national high‑tech enterprise with more than 100 software copyrights and patents. Its self‑developed IoT cloud platform serves nearly 100 million global users, generating substantial overseas software service trade revenue and creating over 1,500 local jobs in Zhaoqing.
At this new stage, Chen still retains the original aspiration he formed in the laboratory:
“Technological innovation has no finish line. What we do is keep exploring the first principles of the security industry, delivering safer and smarter lifestyles to the world.”
