What self-moving machine did Leonardo da Vinci design that is often called the first programmable robot?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart that is often described as an early programmable robot.

The cart was powered by coiled springs concealed inside its body. Cams and other mechanical parts controlled the movement of its wheels, allowing the machine to travel without being pushed continuously by a person. The design may have been intended for theatrical performances or court spectacles rather than practical transport.

Leonardo’s drawing was rediscovered in the twentieth century, and researchers built reconstructions to investigate how it worked. In 2006, a working replica was demonstrated after study of the surviving plans. The machine’s programmable quality came from adjustable components that could set its path or movement.

It is important not to confuse this cart with Leonardo’s later mechanical lion, an automaton designed for ceremonial display. The cart is the invention associated with self-propelled motion and early robotic mechanisms.