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N. N. Bolotnik is a leading figure in the field of vibration-driven locomotion and optimal control of robotic systems. His research focuses on the dynamics and motion control of mobile robots that move without external propellers or wheels, instead relying on internal oscillating masses to generate propulsion through friction with the environment. Bolotnik’s foundational work on the “Dynamics of controlled motion of vibration-driven systems” (2006, 103 citations) established the theoretical framework for understanding how internal harmonic oscillations can produce net rectilinear motion on rough surfaces. He further advanced this field by solving optimal control problems for such systems, as seen in his 2008 paper (71 citations) and 2012 study (58 citations), which determined the most efficient ways to move a rigid body using internal masses. A major applied contribution is his development of capsule-type vibration-driven robots for medical endoscopy, notably the “Capsule robot with an opposing spring” (2019, 41 citations) and its electromagnetic actuator variant (2016, 25 citations). His earlier work on time-optimal control for robotic manipulators (1989, 13 citations) and tube-crawling robots (1999, 11 citations) demonstrates a career-long commitment to optimizing robot motion in constrained environments. With over 350 total citations, Bolotnik’s research has profoundly influenced the design of untethered, internally-driven robots for inspection, medicine, and exploration.