When Kawasaki Heavy Industries talks about a "horse" robot, you have to keep an open mind. Very open. Corleo, their latest concept, looks more like a huge metal wolf straight out of a game like Horizon: Zero Dawn than a riding club pony. Presented at the Kansai Expo in Osaka, this four-legged robot has a 150cc hydrogen engine, AI to analyze the terrain, and promises to take you through the most rugged paths... at least in the imagination.
A futuristic mount that makes wallpaper
Because for now, Corleo isn't galloping anywhere. Kawasaki has installed a full-size version on its stand, but it only stretches its legs, without going any further. As for the demonstration, we have to make do with a very polished marketing video, entirely in computer-generated images. We see the beast jumping crevasses, running on snow and crossing rocks as if it were natural. In real life, no one has ridden it yet, and there's no guarantee that it will be possible for a while.
On paper, there's plenty to be intriguing about: Corleo is steered using body movements, detects obstacles, has a color dashboard, and a windshield for rides over 80 km/h. It's even equipped with rubber skids and a floating seat that can carry two passengers. Its clean engine only emits water, perhaps even fresh water, which would be practical for a picnic at altitude. But all this is more of a fantasy concept. than a functional prototype.
Kawasaki is talking about a mobility project for 2050. In the meantime, social media users remain skeptical. One of them sums up the mood well: "It looks like a late April Fool's joke." Others point out that we've already seen rideable quadruped robots, like XPeng's children's unicorn or a giant rhinoceros robot capable of carrying several passengers. But nothing as spectacular – or as vague – as Corleo.
In any case, it's fun. And it would be quite an effect to arrive at the campsite perched on this thing. But for now, Corleo remains a techno showcase, closer to a living room fantasy than a real off-road car. If you're looking for a reliable vehicle for trekking, a good old bike (or a real horse) is probably more efficient.
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