The South Pointing Chariot is among the notable technological advances of this era.

A directional compass vehicle that actually has no magnetic function, it is operated by use of differential gears (which applies equal amount of torque to driving wheels rotating at different speeds).

It is because of this revolutionary device (and other achievements) that its inventor, engineer and government official Ma Jun, is known as one of the most brilliant mechanical engineers and inventors of his day (alongside Zhang Heng of the earlier Eastern Han Dynasty).

Considered by many to be as brilliant as his predecessor Zhang Heng, Ma Jun is in 235 the inventor of a hydraulic-powered, mechanical puppet theater designed for Emperor Ming of Wei (Cao Rui), and square-pallet chain pumps for irrigation of gardens in Luoyang.