What type of vehicle did Leonardo da Vinci design to move under its own power around 1478?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart around 1478. The machine used tightly wound springs to store energy, with gears controlling the release of that energy to the wheels.

The cart was probably intended for theatrical performances or court spectacles rather than ordinary transportation. Its steering system could be preset, allowing the vehicle to follow a programmed route instead of being driven by a person sitting inside it.

Leonardo’s original design did not survive as a complete working machine, and the reconstruction of its exact mechanism has required interpretation. Modern replicas have demonstrated that the basic concept can work when built from the surviving drawings.

It is sometimes called the world’s first automobile, but that description needs qualification. It was not powered by an internal-combustion engine and was not designed for roads or everyday travel. It is better understood as an early programmable, spring-powered vehicle.