What type of powered vehicle did Leonardo da Vinci sketch that could move without being pushed by animals?

Leonardo da Vinci sketched a self-propelled cart that could move without being pushed by animals.

The design, usually dated to around 1478–1480, used coiled springs to store energy. When released, the springs turned the cart's wheels through a system of gears. A programmable steering mechanism helped determine the route, making the device resemble an early robot as well as an early automobile.

The cart was probably intended for theatrical performances or court spectacles rather than transportation. Its compact size and limited stored energy would have made it unsuitable for carrying people over long distances.

A working reconstruction was built in the early 21st century after specialists studied Leonardo's drawings. The machine is sometimes called the world's first car, but that label is a modern comparison. It had no engine, passenger cabin, or road-going purpose like a modern automobile.