Ride Kawasaki’s Robot Horse into the Future

St. Croix Times Staff

Osaka, Japan - Scientists and Engineers have designed a futuristic four-legged rideable robot horse that blends features of horses, mountain lions, and motorcycles - Meet the Corleo.

Recently unveiled at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, the Corleo has captured global attention. Kawasaki’s animated concept video already has more than a million views, showing off the robot galloping through forests, leaping over canyons, and effortlessly tracking rough landscapes reminiscent of a fantasy adventure. 

Designed as an off-road personal transport powered by a 150cc hydrogen-fueled engine, the Corleo sports four independently moving legs, each equipped with swing arms and slip-resistent rubber hooves. These specialized hooves adapt to surfaces like grass, gravel, and rocky ground, maintaining stability and balance. Each leg absorbs shocks and adjusts automatically to rough terrain, ensuring riders remain upright and comfortable even on steep inclines or uneven paths. Sensors in the stirrups and handlebars help riders steer simply by shifting their weight, creating an intuitive and enjoyable riding experience similar to a motorcycle or ATV. 

“While preserving the joy of riding, the vehicle continually monitors the rider’s movements to achieve a reassuring sense of unity between human and machine,” Kawasaki stated. 

The Corleo is also environmentally conscious. Its hydrogen engine produces electricity for leg movement, offering a silent and emission-free operation. Riders navigate with the aid of an onboard GPS, which maps the safest routes and monitors fuel levels, rider balance, and upcoming terrain. 

Experts agree that Kawasaki’s idea holds promise, but the road ahead is challenging. Creating a robust, agile, and safe robotic horse demands advancements in endurance, computing, sensor technology, and safety standards. 

Yet despite these challenges, Kawasaki remains optimistic. They see the robot as not only a recreational vehicle, but a solution to transportation challenges in remote areas, opening possibilities in tourism, exploration, and even sports. They also see it benefitting people with mobility challenges. Current robotic exoskeletons, such as Wandercraft’s Personal Exoskeleton or Human in Motion Robotics’ XoMotion, are already transforming lives.

Kawasaki believes a version of the Corleo could reach consumers by the end of the decade. If successful, it could revolutionize not just transportation but also our understanding of how robots and humans can interact seamlessly.