Italeri 3101 Serie Leonardo da Vinci "Automobile"
This model is a reproduction of one of the most amazing of Leonardo da Vinci's plans. It is known as "Leonardo's Car" although recent studies have defined it one of the first robots in history. The machine is drawn on page 812r of the Codex Atlanticus with other devices. the "engine" is hidden inside the car, where a coiled spring stopped by a mechanical brake transfers motion to gears that move the wheels on the sides. Another system of gears allows for constant speed, with a clockwork-like mechanism. Secondary levers act on the two big wheels to steer the robot or move stage props, like puppets to be carried on stage.
