What was the name of Leonardo da Vinci’s four-wheeled machine that moved without a horse?

Leonardo da Vinci’s four-wheeled machine that moved without a horse was his self-propelled cart.

Leonardo designed the cart around 1478–1480. Hidden springs powered the wheels, while a programmable system of wooden pegs controlled steering and movement. The design is often described as an early ancestor of the automobile, although it was not an engine-powered car in the modern sense.

The cart may have been intended for theatrical performances at court. It could travel a short distance by itself and may have carried scenery or performers. Reconstructions have shown that the mechanism can work when built according to Leonardo’s drawings.

A common mistake is calling the cart the world’s first automobile without qualification. It had no combustion engine and depended on wound springs. Its importance lies in combining stored mechanical energy, gearing, and programmable control in one compact vehicle.