Kawasaki has released a video of a robotic horse powered by hydrogen. Corleo is large enough to be ridden, and a full-sized concept model is due to be shown off at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 in Japan next week.  

Kawasaki's webpage for the robot says it offers excellent all-terrain capability, powered by four robotic legs, together with the handling and stability of Kawasaki's motorcycles: "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".

 The robot looks like a large robot dog. Kawasaki says that the rear leg unit can swing up and down independently from the front leg unit, allowing it to absorb shocks during walking and running.

 The independence of rear and front leg units also means that if Corleo is climbing steps, the rider can maintain a posture that avoids looking upwards and makes it easier to check the road conditions ahead. The legs have rubber hooves for shock absorption and to minimize slipping when Corleo is walking and running. Kawasaki says the hooves can adapt to various terrains, including grasslands, rocky areas, and rubble fields.

The rider puts their feet in adjustable stirrups for support, and can move their weight in the saddle or use the handlebars to make the robot change direction. 

The power for the robot comes from a 150cc hydrogen engine. The hydrogen is supplied from a canister mounted at the rear, and the engine generates electric power for the drive units installed in each of the four legs, with low emissions and silent operation.

The robot has an instrument panel that displays hydrogen level, route to the summit, center of gravity position, and other information. At night it can project markers onto the road surface to indicate the path ahead.

More details may be available next week at Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025.

More Information

Kawasaki Corleo Webpage

Osaka-Kansai Expo Website

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