The first cars bold enough to drive themselves
Ars Technica
by
Larry Printz
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The era of autonomous vehicles may seem like a recent innovation, but its roots stretch back over a century to the work of Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo. In 1904, he introduced the Telekino, a groundbreaking wireless control system that paved the way for modern self-driving cars. This invention, designed to prevent airship accidents, used early remote-control technology to send commands via electromagnetic waves, allowing for controlled movement without physical cables.
Quevedo's contributions were far ahead of their time. By 1914, he had developed a mechanical chess machine that played against humans autonomously, showcasing his visionary approach to automation. Though his systems were rudimentary by today’s standards, they demonstrated the potential of wireless communication and servomotor control—technologies that remain foundational in robotics and autonomous vehicles.
The significance of Quevedo’s work lies in its role as an early stepping stone toward modern autonomy. His inventions highlight how technological progress is not sudden but built on incremental breakthroughs over generations. For tech enthusiasts, his story underscores the importance of understanding history to appreciate the evolution of innovation. Torres Quevedo’s legacy reminds us that even the most advanced technologies often have humble beginnings in visionary yet overlooked pioneers.
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/23/2026