What device did Leonardo da Vinci design to move itself using springs, gears, and wooden wheels?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart powered by wound springs, gears, and wooden wheels.

The cart appears in drawings from the late 15th century and is widely considered an early predecessor of the automobile. Two large, coiled leaf springs stored energy, while a gear mechanism transferred that energy to the wheels. A steering system allowed the machine to follow a predetermined route rather than being continuously driven by a person.

The cart was not powered by an engine or fuel. It was a clockwork vehicle whose movement was limited by the amount of energy stored in its springs. Its likely uses may have included theatrical displays or court entertainments, though its exact original purpose is not certain.

A full-scale reconstruction was built and demonstrated in the 2000s. Because Leonardo’s drawings leave some details unclear, reconstructions require informed interpretation rather than simple copying.