Chinese robotics startup DaxAI has unveiled a ride-on robot horse called the Qiji X1 All-Terrain Intelligent Mount at the World Robot Conference in Beijing.
The quadrupedal machine is designed to be sat on like a pony and can carry loads of up to 660lb (300kg) while reaching speeds of up to 25mph (40km/h).
Video footage shared online shows riders, including a young child, mounting the contraption before steering it forwards, left, and right using two handles that resemble motorbike handlebars.
The Qiji X1 features four legs that move independently, a protective shield serving as the horse head, and an operational range of 62 miles (100km). State-run newspaper China Daily reported that the vehicle can autonomously navigate complex environments, including steep slopes, gravel, and mud.
China Daily described the mount as being "built for premium off-road leisure" that "transforms AI from lines of code on a screen into a truly rideable, real-world device." The manufacturer envisions the machine being used to transport heavy cargo over uneven ground and assist during emergency rescue operations.
DaxAI has not announced when the four-legged machine will go on sale or how much it will cost. Quadrupedal robots and humanoid machines have increasingly moved into mainstream development in recent years, with Beijing serving as a central host city for major international robotics exhibitions.
Online spectators reacted with a mixture of amusement and concern to videos of the robot horse. One commenter wrote, "We had the horseless carriage, now we have the horseless horse," while another remarked, "This is like reinventing the horse."
Safety concerns were also raised by viewers online. One person joked, "I've seen enough of these robot videos that I'd be wearing a helmet just in case." Another commenter warned, "How long until one of these chunky boy robots goes rogue in an events centre and harms/kills the attendees?"
DEEP Robotics reveals Year of the Horse quadruped
DaxAI was not the only company displaying a robotic horse at the Beijing exhibition. Hangzhou-based robotics firm DEEP Robotics unveiled a limited-edition robot horse created to mark the Year of the Horse in the traditional Chinese zodiac cycle.
The DEEP Robotics machine stands approximately half a metre tall and weighs about 66lbs (33kg). Although smaller than DaxAI's vehicle, it can carry loads of up to 110lbs (50kg) and features a design that looks significantly more horse-like.
Kawasaki concept and high-speed running robots
The unveiling follows earlier developments in ride-on quadrupeds by international manufacturers. Last year, Japanese motorcycle maker Kawasaki Heavy Industries showcased a hydrogen-powered, ride-on robot horse named the CORLEO at the Osaka Kansai Expo in Japan.
Developed under Kawasaki's "Impulse to Move" project, the two-seater quadruped is designed to gallop over difficult terrain. Kawasaki calls the machine a "revolutionary off-road personal mobility vehicle" that replaces traditional wheels with four robotic legs. Steering is controlled through rider body movement tracked by artificial intelligence vision systems.
To keep riders secure, the CORLEO continuously monitors rider movements to maintain what the company describes as "a reassuring sense of unity." Kawasaki stated that "these hooves can adapt to various terrains, including grasslands, rocky areas, and rubble fields," though the vehicle remains a concept targeted for 2050.
The conference also coincides with speed breakthroughs in Chinese quadruped technology. Earlier this week, Hangzhou-based robotics company Unitree, known for developing high-performance robot dogs and humanoids, revealed a prototype quadruped nicknamed "Superman."
Video footage showed the "Superman" robot reaching a top speed of 12.66 metres per second (28.3mph) on a running track. That speed surpasses Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who reached a peak speed of 12.42 metres per second (27.78mph) when setting the 100-metre world record at the World Athletics Championship in 2009.
