Kawasaki Heavy Industries has introduced a concept for a ridable, four-legged robotic “horse” called Corleo, powered by a 150cc hydrogen engine. The horse, resembling a large wolf, is designed to traverse uneven terrain with its independently moving limbs, as shown in a CGI video demonstrating its capabilities such as climbing mountains and leaping over icy crevasses. However, it is uncertain if Corleo will become a reality due to the lack of evidence of a rider actually using it, suggesting the project may be more hype than substance.
The concept of Corleo was unveiled at the Osaka Kansai Expo, where a full-scale model was displayed on the show floor, though it was not demonstrated in action like in video games. While Corleo is currently fictional, other companies have attempted to create ridable, four-legged robots, such as Xiaopeng Motors with a “unicorn” for children and a large rhinoceros-like robot that can carry passengers. In addition to Corleo, Kawasaki also presented a concept for a modular train passenger system called ALICE, aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel efficiency.
Despite the potential of Corleo and other ridable robots, some users on the r/motorcycles subreddit expressed skepticism and disappointment in Kawasaki’s latest invention, with one user likening it to a late April Fool’s joke. The future of Corleo and similar robotic concepts remains uncertain, with challenges to overcome before they can become a practical reality.
