Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Felix Chernousko is a leading figure in the mechanics of controlled motion, with a distinguished focus on the locomotion and reorientation of rigid bodies using internal movable masses. His work fundamentally addresses how robots and objects can move through resistive media—such as on a plane with dry friction or in fluids—without external propellers or legs, by simply shifting internal components. Chernousko’s major contributions include developing optimal control strategies for two- and three-dimensional motions, as demonstrated in his highly cited 2019 papers (garnering 23 and 13 citations, respectively). He has also pioneered the dynamics of multibody robotic systems, including snake-like and quasi-static locomotors, showing how periodic changes in configuration enable efficient travel. His research on reorienting a rigid body in space using internal masses (7 citations) and controlling planar motions against friction (2 citations) further showcases his systematic approach to non-holonomic mechanics. With a career spanning decades, Chernousko’s work is essential reading for students and researchers in robotics, nonlinear dynamics, and optimal control, offering elegant solutions to fundamental problems in mobile robot design.