What was Leonardo da Vinci’s wind-up vehicle design called?

Leonardo da Vinci’s wind-up vehicle design is called the self-propelled cart. Springs inside the cart stored energy, while its gearing transferred that energy to the wheels.

Leonardo drew the mechanism around 1478–1480. Unlike a modern automobile, it had no engine or fuel system. The cart was powered by coiled springs, probably similar in principle to those used in large clocks. Steering could be set before the cart moved, allowing it to follow a predetermined path.

The design may have been intended for theatrical performances or court ceremonies rather than transport. In 2006, researchers and builders in Italy constructed a working model based on Leonardo’s drawings. The reconstruction demonstrated that the concept could move, although the original sketch leaves some details open to interpretation. It is therefore an early example of a programmable mechanical vehicle, not a gasoline-powered car.