What name is commonly given to Leonardo da Vinci’s self-propelled cart design?

Leonardo da Vinci’s spring-powered vehicle design is commonly called Leonardo’s self-propelled cart.

Leonardo drew the cart in the Codex Atlanticus around 1478–1480. Its concealed coiled springs supplied energy to the wheels, while a system of gears controlled movement. The steering mechanism was programmable through removable pegs, making the device an early example of a machine that could follow a predetermined route.

The cart is sometimes called a robot or an automobile, but both labels can mislead. It had no engine, computer, or passenger compartment like a modern car. Historians generally interpret it as a theatrical or engineering demonstration, possibly intended for court entertainments. A working reconstruction was displayed at the 2006 Florence Science Festival.