HQ Team
April 10, 2025: Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled a concept off-road personal mobility vehicle with an all-terrain capability that resembles a horse.
The four-legged robot, Corleo, continually monitors the rider’s movements to “achieve a reassuring sense of unity between humans and machines,” according to a Kawasaki statement.
Corleo, equipped with a 1500cc engine, can scale mountains, and its rear leg unit can swing up and down independently from the front leg unit, allowing it to absorb shocks during walking and running.
When climbing steps, the rider can maintain a posture that avoids looking upwards and makes it easier to check the road conditions ahead.
Just like riding a horse
The rider can control the machine through weight shifts detected by steps and handlebars —just like riding a horse.
By changing the length of the stirrup, the rider can maintain an optimal posture. The four legs are equipped with hooves featuring a left-right divided structure made of rubber, a material that absorbs surface irregularities and is slip-resistant.
These hooves can adapt to various terrains, including grasslands, rocky areas, and rubble fields.
Hydrogen is supplied from a canister mounted at the rear. The generated electricity powers the drive units installed in each of the four legs.
It is equipped with an instrument panel that displays hydrogen level, route to the summit, centre of gravity position, and other information. At night, it supports optimal riding by projecting markers onto the road surface to indicate the path ahead.
Osaka Kansai Expo
The concept vehicle was displayed at the Osaka Kansai Expo, which kicked off last week. The company also put up a CGI video at the expo.
“Corleo is s a completely new means of transportation that combines Kawasaki’s motorcycle and robotics technologies,” Kawasaki Executive Officer Takashi Torii told the Tokyo Weekender.
“It’s something that only a comprehensive heavy industry manufacturer could propose, and bringing it to life through active internal discussions has been meaningful.”
Kawasaki stated that there are currently no plans to commercialize Corleo or develop it into a business. The robot remains a concept designed to spark imagination and demonstrate technological possibilities rather than a product slated for production.
Modular train passenger system
Others such as robotics company Xiaopeng Motors, showed off a ridable “unicorn” for children last year.
Kawasaki also showed a concept for a futuristic modular train passenger system, Alice, which it claims could eliminate congestion and enhance travel efficiency.
Additionally, the company is expanding into education with the launch of Astorino, a robot designed to teach robotics and manufacturing skills in classrooms.
Astorino aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, providing students with an interactive learning tool.
