What self-propelled machine did Leonardo da Vinci design for court spectacles?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart for court spectacles.

The wooden cart was powered by coiled springs hidden inside its body. Gears controlled the release of stored energy, while adjustable mechanisms could determine how far and in what direction the cart moved. The machine may have been intended for theatrical displays or ceremonial events rather than transportation.

Leonardo’s drawing dates to around 1478–1480 and is one of the earliest known designs for a programmable automaton. It did not use an engine, fuel, or electricity. Instead, it relied on spring power and mechanical timing, much like a large clockwork device.

A reconstruction made in the twentieth century showed that the basic mechanism could work. The cart is sometimes called Leonardo’s robot, although it was not a humanoid robot. It is better understood as an automated vehicle or theatrical machine that anticipated later programmable mechanical devices.