Submitted 4 days ago by jordanlund@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/kawasaki-is-developing-a-robot-to-be-ridden-like-a-horse/
Because of course they are.
AI generated video here:
NGL - I kinda want to run around on an AI robot panther. Can we get 4 more, paint them different colors, and merge them into a giant robot? That would be sweet!
I’m sorry but we already horses. Things we don’t have which are ridable are things like spiders, mice, sausages, millipedes, cats etc. Make one of those!
It’s a Kawasaki. So yes, yes it will
I’m surprised you didn’t also mention ostriches and really fast snails.
I’m off to work out the engineering for a millipede-kielbasa robo-hybrid.
I see right to repair nightmare. It’s basically disposable.
If every instance above is not a giant red flag you’d walk away from, I have a great deal on a bridge to sell you. It is a novelty at best and worthless on any second hand market other than the dealer itself which is basically slavery for the average person. There is not a single standardized part that can be second sourced on such a toy. When the manufacturer no longer supports it, the thing will be disposable. So from a dystopian burn down the world perspective this is a great leap forward. Super cool concept, but unless there is real universal parts standardisation and the thing is fully open sourced, this is like everything that is wrong with the world right now; neo feudalism.
Kawasaki has a well established dealer network, I don’t see support from them as being the primary issue.
If Kawasaki motorcycles are anything to go by working on their products yourself isn’t an issue. You can get the full workshop manual and do everything yourself.
And fell in a pool? You might drive your car into the ocean. Better give up on cars.
Microwave your phone? Useless!
Shoot your dog? Planned obsolescence!
This isn’t internal combustion. Every motor drive will be unique. Robotics are nothing like cars or motorcycles. I’m excellent at working on cars. I’m pretty good with electronics. I mean my bedroom is a Maker lab set up for design and etching my own circuit boards and I have messed around with robotics a bit. I have also ported heads for nostalgia drag, pit for unlimited class sprint, and owned an auto body shop building my hotrod stuff on the side and owned a couple bikes.
I’m saying, in the real world, shit happens and that adds intelligent perspective on how you’d look at a thing like this when real world stuff has happened. It is hyperbolic for illustrative purpose.
Such a complex system will inevitable be connected to the internet. Anything that needs dealer support as a crutch is not owned by the end user. If this is not fully transparent and open from the start, it is means of exploitation. Only fools trust others to do the right thing or care about track records so far. That is feudalism and will result in the dark ages exactly like it did in the past. There is no reason for any consumer to trust if an honest product is sold. Honest products are completely open source and parts can be second sourced from an independent vendor unrelated to the manufacturer and anyone can potentially replicate the parts and sell them. There cannot be any single choke point where if some asshat quits supporting or goes out of business the hardware that people paid for fails. Trust inevitable leads to this stupidity and to exploitation of the built in leverage. It is corporate piracy in the end and that has to stop.
This is a concept for a hydrogen powered robot for 2050. There is no shot they’re developing this and even if they are it’s literally a quarter of a century from now. This is just marketing BS.
There is a physical model, but definitely not rideable, looks like it just barely leans up and down, but they did get something real to display:
worses
Is this necessary? Seriously, we are heading into a climate crises (or more accurately, already in one) and now we need to manufacture this shit?
Unless this thing runs on fossil fuels, I don’t think it’s really going to have a big impact on climate change.
I guess there’s an argument that this is taking away engineering hours from projects that might have more practical uses in addressing climate change but I’d counter that sometimes engineers need a break from their usual work to avoid burning out from tedious incremental tasks and rigid processes. A bit of time and space for experimentation can be helpful, reinvigorating, and can lead to future discoveries and inventions if done right.
I mean, it theoretically runs on hydrogen so it’s zero emission. Beats a dirt bike!
Westworld here we come
I don’t think they meant THAT kind of “ride”.
Begun the mech was has.
It looks like a panther to me.
Looks like an AI-generated article to me. That “vehicle” looks more like a baboon than a horse; just look at the way the legs move and the butt.
I would have linked directly to the Kawasaki site, but it’s less news article and more promotional:
Favorite line from that video: “the user rides it like a horse, but its movement is way more dynamic and life like”.
Horse in the corner: cries
I’d take the actual press release and promotional material over AI slop any and every fuckin day personally speaking.
It looks like an overweight darpa dog.
Giddyup Buttercup is gonna sue for patent infringement.
I’m a cowboy… On a steel horse I ride!
What for?
horizon zero dawn live action adaptation
All terrain mobility.
Then make it a form that’s suited for transport? Horse/panther form is primarily suited for animal, not for transport. I don’t know, maybe legs you can bolt to a container?
Good riddens
I’m so angry I have to upvote this.
Bet it sucks to ride tbh. I cannot imagine that being more comfortable than a motorcycle of any kind. There has to be better ways for rough terrain than reinventing the wheel. Bet the investors love it though so I suppose mission accomplished.
Why not? Our legs are already better than any wheel could ever get. Why not apply this to robots given they can be good enough
Because ambulation and transportation aren’t the same thing otherwise the wings on planes would flap like a birds.
Forget about Akira I want to look like POWER RANGER
That video was pretty janky, I thought for sure it wouldn’t be direct from Kawasaki but yeah…
Someone fed the concept into an AI video generator, proclaimed a 2050 target date, so absolutely far enough away this will be forgotten by the time everyone realizes that this was zero actual effort towards anything.
So now AI lets marketing folks make their completely going nowhere idea into a substantial concept video casually…
I want a cyborg horse that can be ridden like a quad bike.
Wasn’t the ATV invented because it covered most off-road situations to get around quicker?
Kawahorsey
I kind of don’t what to say 😳
So imagine far in the future scholars discussing, how heavy cavalry revolutionized XXI century warfare.
TBH something really useful would look more like a “General Grievous mode” exoskeleton.
Lightsabers would be good too.
I assume once equipped for warfare they’ll be packing like a 20mm cannon on the undercarriage, and crap out landmines.
Spitting out drones.
A cannon is good, but a vibro-pike like the old days would do too, imagine a robotic lancer charge at some terrified Muslim idiots.
How long until Voltron?
Jesus fucking christ. These are horses, not lions!
Like the robass from “The Quest for Saint Aquin”. Not post-apoc at all.
Was wondering when this would be a thing
It looks like a rDisney’s remake from a time Honor concept
Xanza@lemm.ee 4 days ago
I can’t wait to ride this shit into battle.
AJ1@lemmy.ca 4 days ago
I’m waiting for the laser sword as a standard option. It’s always a bad idea to buy the first model anyway, and you know it’s coming. I mean who in their right mind rides a robot horse without a light sabre?
futatorius@lemm.ee 3 days ago
I’d just like a nice laser naginata, and never mind the horse.
SabinStargem@lemmy.today 3 days ago
Monkey paw curls
“…it is now the 12th year of the 2nd American Civil war. The 3rd Roboticized Cavalry of Free America rode yesterday onto Texan soil, assisting Mexican forces in deterring Trumpanic Raiders from the fledging Mexican territory. Casualties were moderate, but sustainable…”