What type of cart did Leonardo da Vinci design to move without a person or animal pulling it?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart to move without a person or animal pulling it.

The machine appears in Leonardo’s drawings from around 1478 to 1480. It used springs as a source of stored mechanical energy, with gear mechanisms transmitting that energy to the wheels. Steering could be set in advance, allowing the cart to follow a planned route rather than being driven continuously by a human operator.

The cart was probably intended for theatrical or ceremonial effects, although its exact purpose remains uncertain. It was not powered by steam, electricity, or an internal-combustion engine. The springs could provide only limited energy, so the machine was a short-distance mechanism rather than a practical road vehicle.

Modern reconstructions have shown that the design can operate when built according to interpreted drawings. It is often described as an early robot or automobile, but those labels are modern comparisons, not names Leonardo used.