A worm gearbox is a type of mechanical gear system that uses a worm (a threaded shaft) to drive a worm wheel (a gear), providing a high reduction ratio and compact design. The unique feature of this system is the ability of the worm to turn the gear, but not vice versa, offering a self-locking mechanism. This makes it useful in applications where backdriving is undesirable, such as in lifts, conveyor systems, and machines requiring high torque at low speeds. Worm gears are known for their smooth, quiet operation but have lower efficiency due to sliding friction between the worm and gear.