What type of vehicle did Leonardo da Vinci sketch with a conical gear system and three wheels?

Leonardo da Vinci sketched a three-wheeled self-propelled cart.

The cart appears in Leonardo’s studies from the late fifteenth century and is commonly described as a predecessor of the automobile. It used coiled springs to store energy, while a system of gears transferred that energy to the wheels. Steering could be set in advance, allowing the cart to follow a predetermined route.

Leonardo probably conceived the machine for theatrical or ceremonial use rather than everyday transportation. It could move without being visibly pushed, making it useful for Renaissance pageants and court entertainments. The design was not powered by steam, gasoline, or electricity.

The original cart has not survived, and scholars debate details of its construction. In 2006, a team in Florence built a working version based on Leonardo’s drawings. The machine is therefore best understood as an ingenious spring-powered automaton, not a modern car.