Kawasaki CORLEO is an all-terrain robot horse that you can actually ride

Boston Dynamics has been developing quadruped robots with major success, and a few other inspired versions by robotic companies including Unitree’s Go series (Go1, Go2), and the KAIST Hound have also caught the world’s attention. Kawasaki Heavy Industries has also been developing its fleet of robots under wraps, and now they’ve unveiled their ideation of future quadruped robots.

Meet CORLEO, a hydrogen-powered robot horse prototype shown off at the Osaka Kai Expo 2025. The intriguing bot aims to redefine mobility and navigate tought terrain with maximum precision. The four-legged robot is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, and the makers claim it can navigate any kind of terrain with a human rider on top. Even though it looks like a horse, the initial inspiration for designing the robot was the aggressiveness of a wolf, the agility of a deer, and the speed of a panther.

Designer: Kawasaki Heavy Industries

The robot with articulated legs brings a very unique riding experience to enthusiasts who want to explore the great outdoors. At its heart, CORLEO is a beastly motorcycle having a 50cc hydrogen engine that generates electric power to move the legs. The hydrogen is stored in a rear-mounted canister for silent operation. It adapts to any tough terrain using swing arms in the legs to absorb the impact, making the rider feel comfortable and in a forward-leaning posture even in rugged mountain terrain or down the steep steps. Each of these metal legs has a hoof made out of anti-slip rubber material – split into two halves to navigate any surface like grass, rock, or gravel.

For advanced navigation aids, CORLEO has a navigation panel that displays vital information like the rider’s center of gravity, real-time speed, navigation details, or the hydrogen levels left in the tank. During the nighttime, the robot projects illuminated markers just like you would see in advanced automotive navigation systems, to point to the terrain up ahead. Driving the quadruped robot is going to be an interesting drill, as Kawasaki has put in place sensors on the handlebars and stirrups that detect the rider’s shift of weight to actuate the movement. Those stirrups can be adjusted to achieve an ergonomic sitting position for better comfort and confidence while riding this beast.

According to Kawasaki, CORLEO is an “off-road personal mobility vehicle 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. Scale mountains, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy panoramic views. Let CORLEO unleash your “Impulse to Move” in the great outdoors.” The Japanese automaker has not yet detailed the specification, range, or other features of the robot. All they’ve made clear is that the four-legged robot is envisioned for a future twenty years down the line.

The post Kawasaki CORLEO is an all-terrain robot horse that you can actually ride first appeared on Yanko Design.