Kawasaki has unveiled Corleo, a hydrogen-powered robotic horse, as a futuristic personal mobility solution at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. Powered by a 150cc hydrogen engine, Corleo emits only water vapor, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based vehicles. Designed for off-road terrain with all-terrain capability, it features rubber hooves, rider-responsive control, and an artificial intelligence (AI) co-pilot.1-5
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As global emissions from transport remain a significant concern, contributing 15% of total greenhouse gas emissions and 23% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, Kawasaki's innovation signals a shift toward sustainable mobility.
The company, known for its expertise in robotics and motorcycles, aims to revolutionize transport for exploration and rescue missions. Corleo represents a bold step in redefining all-terrain robotic mobility while promoting clean transportation using hydrogen as a viable energy source for the future.1-6
Corleo: The Robot Horse
Japanese engineers have introduced Corleo, a concept four-legged robotic horse designed for off-road personal mobility. Merging Kawasaki’s motorcycle and robotics technologies, Corleo aims to deliver the “Fun to Ride” experience across rugged terrains.
Unlike previous animal-shaped robots like Boston Dynamics’ Spot, Corleo is built for riders. It uses AI and robotic legs to provide stability, adaptability, and a unique connection between human and machine.1-5
The robot continuously monitors rider movements for seamless control, offering the thrill of outdoor exploration with futuristic transport. The robot remains a concept, and no prototype or technical details have been released. Kawasaki aims for a possible 2050 launch but has no set development timeline or commercialization plans. Key specifications like speed, range, and battery life are undisclosed, highlighting the early, conceptual stage of the project.1-5
Corleo: Features
Corleo is designed with several advanced features. Its swing arm system allows the rear legs to move independently from the front, absorbing shocks during running and walking and helping maintain rider posture during climbs. Riders can control the machine through weight shifts detected using handlebars and steps. The rider can maintain an optimal posture by changing the stirrup length.1-5
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Corleo’s four legs are equipped with hooves with a split rubber design for superior grip and shock absorption on varied terrains like grass, rocks, and rubble, and they are designed to imitate mountain animals.
A 150cc engine powered by a hydrogen fuel cell drives the robot, generating electricity for each leg's drive system. Hydrogen is supplied from a rear-mounted canister. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by splitting hydrogen into protons and electrons, producing only water as a byproduct.1-5
This clean process powers motors with zero carbon emissions, reduces reliance on grid-charged batteries, and refueling with hydrogen gas can quickly recharge the cells. The navigation system includes an instrument panel displaying key data such as hydrogen levels, route guidance, and center of gravity. It projects illuminated markers onto the road for nighttime travel to enhance visibility and ensure safe navigation, ensuring rider autonomy, safety, and environmental awareness.1-5
Corleo will have an AI system that refines its navigation and balance by directly responding to the rider's body movements, offering a lifelike riding experience. The robot's onboard system possesses sensor-rich feedback loops measuring body tilt, rider position, and terrain angle. By combining intelligent controllers and torque sensors, Corleo adapts its gait to maintain the ride fluid and remain balanced.1-5
Together, these systems create a seamless, intelligent riding experience in off-grid situations and across remote, diverse, and challenging environments, representing a convergence of robotic engineering, human-machine interface, and clean energy propulsion.
Corleo can potentially carry up to two people on its back through diverse environments.1-5
The First Hydrogen Powered Robot Horse By Kawasaki
Video Credit: Chris Wabs/YouTube.com
Impact of the Corleo Concept
Corleo represents a transformative approach to mobility, specifically designed to navigate rocky and uneven terrains where traditional wheeled vehicles falter.
Its four-legged robotic structure with a cockpit-like seat highlights a shift in how transportation can adapt to challenging environments. This versatility makes Corleo ideal for off-grid applications such as search and rescue missions, military logistics, and disaster recovery/areas that demand flexibility and rugged performance.1-5
At the core of Corleo's innovation is its use of hydrogen fuel rather than conventional batteries. This choice reflects Kawasaki’s forward-thinking strategy, leveraging hydrogen’s advantages: it is lightweight, has a higher energy density, and offers quicker refueling times, which is crucial for time-sensitive and mobile operations.
By moving beyond typical hydrogen applications such as trucks or grid-scale projects, Corleo introduces a new paradigm: hydrogen as a mobile, decentralized energy solution suitable for niche use-cases where batteries may fall short.1-5
Corleo also serves as a platform for reimagining hydrogen's role in robotics and clean technology. It opens doors for new project types and business models, prompting industry professionals to explore hydrogen-powered field robots, drones, autonomous walkers, and delivery bots. This broadens the scope of hydrogen infrastructure, potentially leading to a new class of compact fuel stations and modular refueling solutions.1-5
As the lines between sustainability, robotics, and advanced mobility blur, Corleo positions hydrogen at the forefront of this convergence, stimulating innovation and conversation about the future of energy in motion.1-5
The Future of Corleo’s Hydrogen Technology
Corleo brings together robotics, AI, and hydrogen propulsion in a compelling vision for clean, off-road mobility.
It has a distinctive rider interface, adaptive terrain handling, and a zero-emission hydrogen engine, demonstrating the potential for clean energy to drive advanced field robotics.
Though still in the concept stage, Corleo points to emerging opportunities and infrastructure needs for hydrogen-powered machines. For the broader industry, it is an invitation to consider hydrogen applications beyond traditional vehicles. For Kawasaki, the next move is clear: build a prototype and continue advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
References and Further Reading
- Thomson, J. (2025) Scientists reveal new hydrogen-powered ‘robot horse’ that could one day take you up a mountain [Online] Available at https://www.livescience.com/technology/robotics/scientists-design-new-kind-of-robot-horse-that-you-can-one-day-ride-up-a-mountain (Accessed on 24 April 2025)
- New category of Personal Mobility that values the "Fun to Ride" features of Kawasaki motorcycles CORLEO [Online] Available at https://www.khi.co.jp/expo2025/concept01/index_en.html (Accessed on 24 April 2025)
- Kawasaki’s Hydrogen Robot Horse Is Real – And It Might Redefine Clean Mobility [Online] Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj1RqzPluZw (Accessed on 24 April 2025)
- Edwards, D. (2025) Kawasaki unveils hydrogen-powered robotic horse that you can ride [Online] Available at https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2025/04/06/kawasaki-unveils-hydrogen-powered-robotic-horse-that-you-can-ride/89601/ (Accessed on 24 April 2025)
- Raj, C. (2025) Kawasaki Corleo: The Robotic Motorcycle That’s Half Bike [Online] Available at https://www.streetbikersworld.com/kawasaki-corleo/ (Accessed on 24 April 2025)
- Chapter 10: Transport [Online] Available at https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/chapter/chapter-10/ (Accessed on 24 April 2025)
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