A non-holonomic constraint is an inequality involving the coordinates and their derivatives (velocities). It doesn't restrict where you can be, but it restricts how you can get there .

While the name sounds like dense academic jargon, the concept governs everything from how you park your car to how a cat always manages to land on its feet. What Does "Non-Holonomic" Actually Mean?

So, the next time you parallel park perfectly on the first try, give yourself a pat on the back. You just successfully solved a complex non-holonomic motion planning problem in real-time.