Leonardo Da Vinci designed an artificial man shaped like an armored Germanic knight,

based on his detailed sketches that outlined the essential components necessary for its operation. The knight was intended to be powered by an external mechanical crank, enabling the operator to control its movements. The design incorporated a sophisticated system of cables and pulleys that would allow the automaton to perform a variety of actions, including sitting, standing, turning its head, crossing its arms, and lifting its metal visor to reveal a face.

Based on findings from the Codex Atlanticus, the biggest collection of Da Vinci papers, which contains the most extensive compilation of his notes and drawings, indicates that he may have built a working model of his design in 1495.

In 2002, NASA roboticist Mark Rosheim utilized Da Vinci’s dispersed notes and sketches to create his version of the 15th-century automaton, known as the Rosheim knight.