Kawasaki Reveals a Hydrogen-Fueled Robot Horse that You Can Ride

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has just unveiled one of the wildest concept vehicles to date: the Corleo, a two-seater, four-legged robot that you control using body movements. Equipped with AI vision, it can navigate challenging terrain with ease.

Sure, you could stick with a regular horse—but let’s face it, they can be unpredictable, and there’s the whole mess issue. In contrast, the hydrogen-powered Corleo runs on a 150cc clean-burning generator and emits only water—possibly even chilled—making it a surprisingly tidy companion for your next off-road adventure.

Steering Clear of “Ninja” Branding

This latest concept vehicle comes from Kawasaki Heavy Industries—not directly from the motorcycle division, and that’s probably for the best. Honestly, it’s a smart move to keep this machine away from any “Ninja” branding that might inspire its AI to start picking up martial arts.

Revealed during a preview for the Osaka Kansai Expo (yes, on April 4—not an April Fools’ joke, we checked), the Corleo runs on hydrogen fuel cells, as expected from a standout Japanese concept, and seems to use electric actuators. Its rear legs feature an extra joint, likely to absorb impacts better—or maybe to toss riders, rise up, and join the front lines when the robot uprising begins.

The split “hooves” come equipped with rubber treads for better grip. Adjustable stirrups accommodate riders of various sizes, who steer using a basic handlebar while seated on a floating seat long enough for two. The seat also moves independently from the robot’s, let’s say, rear joints.

It features a windscreen—something that only really makes sense if this machine is meant to sprint at over 50 mph (80 km/h). Just behind it sits a small, full-color display.

Corleo’s AI Navigates with Cat-Like Precision

As seen in the videos, the Corleo appears built for rugged off-road adventures, with cat-like agility to hop between rocks and race across uneven ground. Its AI scans the terrain ahead, selecting the safest steps while responding primarily to the rider’s body movements. At night, it’s expected to project a trail of arrows to show where it plans to go.

The design fully embraces the “robot horse” concept—minus the messy sounds and heartfelt human-animal connection.

That said, let’s be real: this thing is pure fantasy. The video footage is entirely CGI, and even as a concept, it’s way out there. Kawasaki has built a prototype that can stand and strike a pose, but this is more of a wild idea for a 2050 mobility vision. Honestly, with Japan’s concerning demographic trends, it’s hard to say if the country—or this robot horse—will be around by then.

Rideable Quadrupeds on the Rise

That’s not to say rideable quadrupeds aren’t becoming a reality—they already are. XPeng even unveiled a kid-friendly, rideable Unicorn in Bangkok last year, featuring a robotic tail that can lift objects weighing up to six pounds (3 kg). Given the rapid pace of quadruped development, a two-seater model by 2030 doesn’t seem far-fetched.

But this concept isn’t it. Their take—a high-speed, canyon-jumping, all-terrain beast—pushes the limits a bit too much. You’d need to be practically Velcroed into the seat to avoid flying over the handlebars and getting trampled by your own hydrogen-powered steed. Still, it’s an exciting and imaginative creation—props to Kawasaki for the bold vision! Check out the gallery for more images.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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