Kawasaki is showing off a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robot at the Osaka Expo 2025, giving us a look at the future of off-road personal transportation. The robot looks like a robotic horse or maybe a lion, based on the name "Corleo." While the concept was created by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (the parent company of Kawasaki Motors), you can still see a lot of motorcycle technology in it.
In the official video, the Corleo charges across all sorts of rugged terrain, showing off what’s called “the handling and stability of Kawasaki’s legendary motorcycles.” The robot’s "head" even has a hint of a sportbike’s front fairing, giving it a sleek, futuristic look. The rest of it? Well, it kind of reminds you of a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica, with its bold, high-tech design. And those three striking green stripes on its front? They practically scream Monster Energy vibes, making the Corleo look like a high-powered, adrenaline-fueled beast ready to take on anything!
Kawasaki says the Corleo is controlled by the rider shifting their weight on the stirrups and handlebar, and the video shows riders adopting a jockey-like crouch at high speeds and more upright postures for low speeds or climbing uneven terrain.
The Corleo’s four legs are fitted with rubber hooves, designed to absorb bumps and keep it stable on any surface. What’s really cool, especially from a motorcycle lover’s point of view, is that the back half of the Corleo acts like a swingarm, pivoting from where the stirrups connect to the main body just like a bike’s rear suspension!
The Corleo’s legs are powered by electricity created by a 150cc hydrogen engine tucked between the front legs. The fuel tanks are cleverly stored in the back, giving this robotic beast all the power it needs to move.
An instrument panel displays the hydrogen level along with navigation, center of gravity position, and other information. In dark conditions, navigation markers are also projected onto the surface ahead.
It goes without saying that the video above is almost entirely CGI. The Corleo on display at the Osaka Expo can stand and adjust its posture, but otherwise has very limited mobility. There’s still a long way before it can achieve the kind of agility as shown in the demo video. The concept is primarily a thought exercise, with no plans for production.
For a comprehensive and insightful overview of the Kawasaki Corleo, watch this video published by the well-known YouTube channel 4ever Green.
Where to Buy the Kawasaki Corleo
The Kawasaki Corleo is a concept and not a product that's available for purchase—at least not yet. It's part of Kawasaki's futuristic vision, being showcased at events like the Osaka Expo runs from 2025 from April 13 until October 13 . Since it's still in the prototype stage, there's no current plan for retail sales. However, if you’re interested in Kawasaki’s innovations or any future updates, you might want to keep an eye on announcements from Kawasaki Heavy Industries or Kawasaki Motors.
How to Purchase the Kawasaki Corleo
If you are interested in purchasing a Kawasaki product, you can explore their available motorcycles, ATVs, and other vehicles through authorized Kawasaki dealers. However, for the Corleo, it remains a concept for now, and there are no plans to sell it to the public at this time.
Keep an eye on announcements from Kawasaki Heavy Industries or Kawasaki Motors for updates on future developments. If the Corleo or similar technology is eventually released to the market, it will likely be introduced as part of a larger product rollout.
The Kawasaki Corleo, as a concept, showcases a fascinating blend of advanced robotics and motorcycle technology, but specific performance details such as top speed, power output, and engine performance are not fully disclosed. However, we do know some key aspects of its design that point to its potential performance capabilities.
The Corleo is powered by a 150cc hydrogen-burning engine that is located between the front legs. This engine is not only responsible for generating power but also produces electricity that powers the robot's four legs, giving it the ability to navigate different terrains. The hydrogen engine is an innovative choice, highlighting Kawasaki’s push toward sustainable mobility solutions. While the exact power output in terms of horsepower or torque is not specified, the focus on hydrogen power indicates that efficiency and eco-friendly performance are key priorities for the Corleo.
In terms of speed, while specific figures are not given, the Corleo’s design emphasizes handling, stability, and mobility over rough surfaces rather than sheer speed. The four robotic legs, equipped with rubber hooves to absorb surface irregularities and maintain grip, suggest that the Corleo is built for agile, controlled movement across rugged terrains, much like a high-performance off-road motorcycle.
The rear half of the Corleo operates like a swingarm, similar to the rear suspension of a motorcycle, allowing it to maintain stability and control when navigating uneven ground. This design suggests that, despite being a robot, the Corleo could offer impressive maneuverability and balance, much like the precise handling of a motorcycle, especially in off-road conditions.
Overall, while specific speed and power details for the Kawasaki Corleo are yet to be revealed, its hydrogen-powered engine and focus on off-road performance hint at a highly capable and sustainable robotic platform designed for the future of personal mobility.
Performance of the Kawasaki Corleo
The performance of the Kawasaki Corleo, while still a concept, showcases impressive technological advancements that could reshape the future of off-road personal mobility. Powered by a 150cc hydrogen-burning engine located between the front legs, the Corleo uses cutting-edge hydrogen fuel to generate electricity, which powers its four robotic legs. This design hints at a strong focus on sustainability and high performance in a futuristic setting.
The robot's four legs are equipped with rubber hooves designed to absorb surface irregularities and maintain grip, allowing it to navigate rough terrains with stability. The Corleo’s unique movement system, inspired by Kawasaki’s motorcycle DNA, features a rear half that functions like a swingarm, pivoting from the stirrups and enhancing its agility and handling over uneven surfaces. This setup mimics the performance characteristics of a motorcycle's rear suspension, allowing the Corleo to maintain balance and control even in challenging environments.
The Corleo can be seen galloping across various terrains in promotional videos, demonstrating Kawasaki's vision of a highly capable off-road machine. Although specific performance metrics (such as speed, range, or endurance) are not yet disclosed, the emphasis on stability, handling, and off-road capability suggests that the Corleo is designed for versatile and efficient mobility in environments where traditional vehicles might struggle.
In terms of its potential, the Corleo represents a leap in robotic mobility, combining the power of hydrogen technology with the proven performance characteristics of Kawasaki’s motorcycle engineering. While it's still a prototype, the performance of the Corleo suggests exciting possibilities for the future of personal transportation, especially in off-road and rugged environments.
Kawasaki Corleo: Battery Life and Power Details
The Kawasaki Corleo is still a concept model, and specific details about its battery type and battery life have not been fully disclosed. However, based on its design and the technology Kawasaki is known for, we can infer a few things.
The Corleo is powered by a 150cc hydrogen-burning engine, which generates electricity to power its four robotic legs. This engine likely works alongside an energy storage system, possibly a lithium-ion battery, to store and distribute power to the robot. Since the Corleo uses hydrogen fuel, it likely incorporates a hydrogen fuel cell, which combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, with water as the only byproduct. This fuel cell system provides an efficient and sustainable power source.
While the exact battery type and capacity are unknown, it's probable that the Corleo uses both hydrogen fuel and battery storage to ensure reliable operation. The battery or storage system would help maintain movement when the hydrogen engine isn't generating enough power.
As the Corleo is still in the prototype stage, battery life figures are not available. However, it’s likely that Kawasaki designed the robot with efficient energy use in mind, enabling it to operate for extended periods on a single hydrogen refuel or charge. The focus is on providing optimal performance and mobility across various terrains.
As the Corleo moves closer to potential commercial production, further details about its battery system and performance will likely emerge, giving a clearer understanding of how long it can run and how its energy is managed. For now, it remains a groundbreaking concept exploring the future of off-road robotic mobility.
