Kawasaki develops more horse power
Words NZ Autocar | Images New Atlas
Here’s something you don’t see every day, a robot that thinks it’s a horse. Kawasaki, normally associated with sportsbikes, has now produced a four-legged, robotic device. Known as CORLEO, it moves just like a horse. Okay, so it’s not from Kawasaki per se, but from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the owner of the bike division. Think of CORLEO (hypothetically) as the lovefoal of a ZX14 and a broodmare.
CORLEO is no hayburner, running instead on hydrogen. Steering is directed by the rider’s body movements. However, it is also capable of manoevring through rough terrain thanks to its AI vision. It can also jump across crevaces, as seen below.
It’s cleaner running than a regular horse too, emitting only water from its 150cc, hydrogen-fuelled generator engine.
Unveiled at a preview for the Osaka Kansai Expo CORLEO is electrically actuated. Its rear legs appear to have an additional joint in them for improved impact resistance. Hooves feature rubber treads. The adjustable-length stirrups are said to suit a wide range of riders who grip a handlebar of sorts. They sit aboard a floating seat that’s long enough to accept a second passenger. The seat moves independently of the robot’s body.
There’s a wind shield and a full-color dash, just like on a sports bike.
CORLEO is designed to conquer the sorts of territory a horse might encounter in the wild west. Its AI brain analyses the potential footfalls ahead and chooses the safest option but also responds to rider body language.At night, it will illuminate the path ahead with arrows as guides.
Hard to believe, right? Actually, yes, All that is stuff Kawasaki Heavy Industries hopes to have ready by 2050. The video is CGI. An actual prototype can stand and pose, and flex its limbs but that’s about it.
However, ride-on quadrupeds are already being developed. XPeng showed off a rideable Unicorn last year. At the rate mechanical quadrupeds and robotics in general are advancing, a two-seater artificial horse might be a possibility by the turn of the decade.
