Japanese industrial giant Kawasaki CORLEO: The Hydrogen-Powered Ride-On Robot That Will Challenge Any Terrain | Video Industries Group has unveiled a super futuristic prototype to the public that has immediately captured attention: CORLEO, a hydrogen-powered quadruped robot designed to transport people. This innovative machine, inspired by the appearance and agile movements of animals such as wolves, deer and panthers, was presented at a preparatory event for Expo 2025 in Osaka-Kansai. But don’t get excited just yet, it is scheduled for release in about 25 years.
Imagine riding a mechanical steed, capable of tackling mountainous trails and rough terrain with the same ease as a wild animal. This is the promise of CORLEO, a robotic vehicle that aims to be an off-road alternative to traditional motorcycles. The approach will be completely intuitive: the “rider” will position himself on the robot in a similar way to a horse, but the dynamics and design recall the fluidity of the movements of even more agile creatures. According to the company, CORLEO’s maneuverability and stability will make it accessible even to novices, opening up new perspectives for the exploration of rough natural environments. We also have the first images of the prototype, here they are below.
CORLEO’s beating heart is a hydrogen propulsion system, flanked by a 150 cubic centimeter engine, a choice that reflects a growing trend among Japanese manufacturers towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. Kawasaki looks to the future with ambition, envisioning the launch of this rideable robot within the next 25 years as a futuristic option for limitless exploration .
CORLEO’s uniqueness lies in its four independent robotic legs, capable of operating autonomously .Kawasaki CORLEO: The Hydrogen-Powered Ride-On Robot That Will Challenge Any Terrain | Video Added to this are integrated AI systems , designed to optimize the robot’s balance and navigation in real time. The design, as they say, also draws inspiration from virtual worlds, evoking robotic creatures present in video games such as “Horizon Zero Dawn” for PlayStation.
Interaction with CORLEO will deviate from traditional controls, as the robot will be designed to respond to the body movements of the “rider” : shifting the center of gravity will trigger a dynamic adjustment of the steps. A head-up display (HUD) will provide information such as the hydrogen level, navigation details and data on the stability of the movement, including weight distribution. As it is still a concept model, detailed technical specifications regarding speed, autonomy or battery life are not available at the moment. Here it is in a demo video, clearly made in CGI.
But Kawasaki’s commitment does not stop at innovative personal mobility. Robotics is becoming a strategic pillar for the company. In addition to CORLEO, the CL series of industrial collaborative robots, designed to operate in extreme conditions and handle heavy industrial materials, is under development. These advanced machines are intended for tasks such as welding, machine tending, and palletizing in a variety of production settings.The expansion in the robotics sector also includes the educational field with the launch of Astorino, an educational robot designed to teach robotics and manufacturing skills in classrooms . Astorino aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering students an interactive learning tool.