Hydrogen-powered, AI-equipped robot resembling a wolf from Kawasaki enables riders to navigate challenging terrains.
Kawasaki Pushes Boundaries with Futuristic Robotics
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group is making waves in the robotics industry, with a focus on transforming manufacturing and personal mobility. Established in 1989, Kawasaki's robotics wing has over three decades of experience in advanced industrial automation, and has become one of the world's leading companies in the field.
The latest additions to Kawasaki's robotics portfolio are the CORLEO and the CL series of Industrial Collaborative Robots (cobots).
CORLEO is a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robotic horse designed as an all-terrain personal transport. Unveiled at Expo 2025 Osaka, CORLEO blends characteristics of horses, mountain lions, and motorcycles. The robot is powered by a 150cc hydrogen engine and features four independently moving legs with slip-resistant rubber hooves that adapt to various terrains like grass and gravel. Shock absorption and automatic leg adjustments ensure rider comfort and stability on rough or steep ground. Steering is intuitive, controlled through riders shifting their weight, similar to riding a motorcycle or ATV. Kawasaki envisions CORLEO eventually replacing traditional off-road motorcycles and launching it within the next 25 years, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in vehicle manufacturing.
Regarding the CL series of Industrial Collaborative Robots (cobots), while the specific newest models or features from the CL series were not detailed, Kawasaki continues to advance its industrial robot offerings with a strong focus on collaboration, agility, and integration with AI and digital solutions. Kawasaki has recently partnered with companies like Foxconn to expand AI-driven robotics into new sectors such as medical assistance. This reflects Kawasaki's broader robotics strategy of combining hardware innovation with software platforms like K-Virtual to enable flexible robot programming and optimization in manufacturing and service environments.
In addition to CORLEO and the CL series, Kawasaki is also developing the Astorino, a robot designed for classroom education to teach robotics and manufacturing skills. The company's robotics portfolio also includes the Ninja H2 HySE, a hydrogen-powered motorbike, which was demonstrated at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan last year, showcasing Kawasaki's commitment to developing alternative fuel run vehicles.
CORLEO features integrated AI systems for enhanced balance and navigation, but currently does not come with detailed technical specifications such as information on speed, range, or battery life. The robot's design reportedly draws inspiration from video games such as PlayStation's Horizon Zero Dawn.
Kawasaki's robotics innovations are not limited to CORLEO. The company is expanding its focus into robotics beyond personal mobility, with ongoing developments in industrial automation and AI-enabled applications, including medical robots targeted for market launch around 2026.
- Kawasaki's robotics strategy extends beyond personal mobility, encompassing the development of artificial-intelligence-enabled medical robots set to launch around 2026.
- The CL series of Industrial Collaborative Robots (cobots) are enhanced with advanced AI and digital solutions, with Kawasaki collaborating with companies like Foxconn to expand AI-driven robotics into sectors such as medical assistance.
