It had to happen. One day, humans had to attempt to make their own horse. Or a machine as close as can be to a rideable stallion. Boasting the combined attributes of a horse, a mountain lion and a motorcycle, here it is—the Kawasaki Corleo concept. Check out the computer-generated video below.
So would you buy a rideable robot that mimics a horse? Kawasaki thinks so, and the machine could be in showrooms by the end of the decade.
According to the company, one day deep in the R&D department, someone dared to ask, “What if we put legs on an all-terrain vehicle?” So, working outside of their comfort zone, engineers created the Corleo. The resulting vehicle incorporates the company’s vision of mobility in 2050, where instinct, technology and the natural environment move in sync. Or at least, that’s what Kawasaki Heavy Industries says.
Corleo Is A 4-Legged Rideable Robot Targeting A 2050 Future
Unveiled recently at the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan, the Corleo is a revolutionary off-road personal mobility vehicle—a rideable robot propelled by four legs and powered by a hydrogen-fueled engine.
While Kawasaki did actually unveil this real-life concept, it was the brand’s computer-generated video that generated intense interest online. Making the Corleo look like a hoot to ride, the imagery portrays a rideable four-legged robot that comes across as an advanced version of Boston Dynamics’ Spot—the dog-like robot—mixed with the fun of Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder cruiser.
Having racked up over 1.1 million views so far, the CGI video shows the Corleo galloping through a thick forest, frolicking across a field, leaping across a small gorge and trotting across a snowy outcrop in a landscape mimicking scenes from Lord of the Rings.
Corleo Employs Independently Articulating Legs
As far as actual riding goes, Kawasaki says that the Corleo mimics the responsive feel of an ATV or even a motorcycle, but instead of using wheels, it employs independently articulating legs with swing arms that absorb impact and shocks and adapt to uneven terrain. Each leg is fitted with a hoof made from slip-resistant rubber, split left-to-right to adapt to different surfaces like grass, gravel and rock. This four-legged construction maintains balance and stability as it keeps the rider’s body in an upright forward-looking posture, even when climbing steps.
Corleo employs some clever design ideas, including independent legs, a hydrogen engine and steering through weight shifts using sensors in the stirrups and handlebars. The rear leg unit can swing up and down independently from the front leg unit, allowing it to absorb shocks during walking and running.
A 150cc hydrogen engine produces electricity to propel the leg-mounted drive units, with rear-mounted hydrogen canisters supplying fuel to deliver low emissions and silent operation. An onboard GPS navigation screen guides riders by mapping a path up or down a hill, while also ensuring the rider’s center of gravity, and hydrogen fuel levels.
“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 said.
This article was originally published on forbes.com.
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