What wheeled machine did Leonardo da Vinci design to move by itself and possibly power stage scenery?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a self-propelled cart that could move without being pushed by a person or pulled by an animal.

The machine, drawn in the late 15th century, uses springs to store energy. As the springs unwind, a system of gears transfers motion to the wheels. A steering mechanism and adjustable control features are also associated with the design, making it more than a simple spring-powered toy.

Historians often describe the cart as an early ancestor of the automobile, but that comparison needs care. It had no combustion engine, electric motor, or rechargeable battery. Its stored spring energy also limited how far it could travel. Leonardo may have intended it for theatrical events, where a short, controlled movement would have been useful.

The original machine does not survive. Modern reconstructions based on the surviving drawing have demonstrated that the mechanism can work, although details of the design remain open to interpretation.