Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group recently presented its CORLEO concept at the Future City event held as part of the Osaka Kansai Expo opening on April 13 2025. The company used a computer graphics video to show off this futuristic offroad personal mobility vehicle. The video features a horse-like robot with four moving legs, an advanced navigation system and a hydrogen-powered engine that carries a human rider. In the video, the robot navigates various terrains, performs jumps over rocks and runs at high speed, among other actions. However, it is important to remember that the presentation is a digital concept and not a working prototype.
The concept is powered by a 150cc hydrogen engine that generates electricity for the drive units in all four legs. A hydrogen canister built into the design stores the fuel, promoting ideas that help reduce carbon emissions. The design uses a swingarm mechanism that lets the rear leg move separately to help absorb shocks on uneven terrain. The computer graphics video shows these features as if they work perfectly. Yet, with today’s robotics, some parts of the video may seem too imaginative to be fully possible without further advancements in technology.
CORLEO also has a simple navigation system that shows key data such as hydrogen levels, route information and balance details. This system even projects visual indications onto the road at night to help guide the rider. The video illustrates how the vehicle constantly checks the rider’s position to make riding easier and safer. Even though the display is detailed and interesting, experts note that some parts of the design look like they would need big technical changes to work in real life.
The concept has caught the eye of many professionals who follow new ideas in transportation. Kawasaki’s digital presentation of CORLEO creates a lot of discussion about what future mobility could look like. While the presentation is creative and imaginative, it also reminds us to think about the limits of today’s technology. Many believe that although the video sparks excitement, the ideas shown might be more of an inspiring goal than a product ready for the market. As technology and robotics continue to grow, only time will tell if CORLEO can become a reality that changes offroad personal mobility.
