What self-propelled vehicle did Leonardo da Vinci design to move using springs and gears?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart powered by coiled springs and gears.

The design, recorded in drawings from around 1478 to 1480, has three wheels and a body resembling a small wagon. Two large leaf springs stored energy, while a system of gears transferred that energy to the wheels. A steering mechanism allowed the cart to follow a set path, making it an early example of a programmable mechanical device.

The cart was probably intended for theatrical or ceremonial use rather than transportation. Some historians have suggested that it may have been designed to move scenery or create a dramatic entrance at a court event. Leonardo did not leave a complete written explanation, so modern reconstructions have been important in testing how the mechanism might have worked.

It is sometimes called Leonardo’s automobile, but that label can mislead. The cart had no combustion engine and was not designed for long-distance travel. Its significance lies in its stored-energy mechanism and automatic movement.