China has unveiled a bizarre new form of transportation that looks like something straight out of a science-fiction movie: a robot horse that people can actually ride.
The futuristic machine was unveiled at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing by a startup named DaxAI. The footage from the event shows visitors climbing onto the four-legged “robot horse” and riding it.
The motored-horse, officially known as Qiji X1 All-Terrain Intelligent Mount is equipped with technology commonly used in motorcycles and quadruped robots.
The video clips from the event shows the robot carrying adult riders while walking across the floor, although its movements remain noticeably mechanical compared with those of a real horse.
It has been revealed that the robot can carry a payload of up to 300 kilograms and travel at speeds of around 10 km/h. It is also designed to navigate difficult surfaces including gravel, mud and steep slopes.
The robot is not being presented simply as a novelty. Its potential uses include off-road transportation, carrying heavy loads and assisting in emergency rescue operations.
The development comes as Chinese companies increasingly focus on robots capable of operating outside controlled factory environments and interacting with the physical world.
It remains unclear when the Qiji X1 will become commercially available, but its public demonstration suggests rideable robotic machines may be moving from science fiction closer to reality.
2026-08-22 01:27:00
