What self-moving vehicle did Leonardo da Vinci design using gears and programmed cams?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart using springs, gears, and programmed cams.

The cart is often described as an early precursor of the automobile. Wound-up springs supplied the stored energy, while a gear system transferred that energy to the wheels. Cams controlled the steering, allowing the vehicle to follow a predetermined route rather than requiring a driver to guide it continuously.

Leonardo drew the mechanism in the late 15th century. It is uncertain whether the original drawing represented a complete buildable vehicle or a mechanical study, but modern reconstructions have shown that the design can move when made with suitable materials and careful interpretation.

The cart was not powered by an internal-combustion engine. It also was not an autonomous vehicle in the modern electronic sense: its programmed movement came from mechanical components set in advance. Its importance lies in combining stored energy, transmission, and automatic control.