What was Leonardo da Vinci's early self-propelled vehicle designed to do?

Leonardo da Vinci’s early self-propelled vehicle was designed to move without being pushed.

Drawn in the Codex Atlanticus, the machine uses two large driving wheels and a complex system of springs, gears, and cams. Winding the springs would store energy; releasing it would turn the wheels and propel the cart forward. A steering mechanism was also included, allowing the vehicle to follow a programmed path.

The cart was probably intended for theatrical performances or court spectacles rather than transportation or warfare. Leonardo worked for the Milanese court, where elaborate mechanical displays were popular. Because the drawing is incomplete, modern reconstructions have had to interpret missing details.

A working replica was built in 2006 by researchers and engineers in Florence. The invention is often called the first robotic vehicle, but “robotic” is a modern description. It had no electronic controls and followed a mechanically predetermined route.