Kawasaki Heavy Industries has taken the wraps off Corleo, a futuristic, four-legged hydrogen-powered robotic horse that blends artificial intelligence, clean energy, and off-road capability. Unveiled at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, this bold concept drew attention for its unusual approach to sustainable mobility and its inspiration from both motorcycles and living creatures.

Corleo isn’t just built to turn heads—it’s designed to traverse tough terrain. Each of its four legs moves independently, enabling it to maintain balance and provide a smoother ride across a range of surfaces, from rocky trails to grassy fields. Kawasaki describes the concept as an “off-road mobility platform,” one capable of handling varied environments with stability and control.

At the heart of Corleo lies a 150cc hydrogen engine. Rather than directly powering movement, the motor generates electricity that drives the robot’s articulated limbs. This setup allows Corleo to run on clean energy while reducing its environmental footprint—a core goal of Kawasaki’s next-gen transport innovations.

Drawing from the company’s motorcycle heritage, Corleo’s body features a sleek, aerodynamic design made from a mix of metal and carbon materials. Its head-like front end includes built-in lighting for visibility in all conditions, giving it a futuristic yet familiar look reminiscent of Kawasaki’s high-performance bikes.

Forget handlebars or joysticks—Corleo responds to the rider’s body movements. Shift your weight, and the robot adjusts its stride accordingly. A built-in heads-up display (HUD) shows key information such as hydrogen levels, terrain feedback, and movement balance. Special rubber “hooves” ensure grip on both soft ground and harder surfaces, and Kawasaki says Corleo is even capable of jumping over obstacles—though specific performance metrics remain under wraps.

While Corleo is still a concept, Kawasaki envisions it as a long-term mobility solution, with a potential commercial release around 2050. No timeline or technical specs like top speed or travel range have been confirmed, but the company is clearly using Corleo to showcase its ambitions at the intersection of robotics, AI, and clean energy.

Corleo represents more than just a cool expo attraction—it signals Kawasaki’s evolving identity. Once known primarily for motorcycles and heavy machinery, the company is now venturing deeper into sustainable, intelligent transport systems. With Corleo, Kawasaki imagines a future where machines don’t just move us—they respond to us.

For now, Corleo remains a fascinating glimpse into a world where riding a robotic horse through the countryside might not be just science fiction.

By Impact Lab