Trials cyclists and mountain bike riders can hop, jump, balance, and drive on one or both wheels. This versatility allows them to achieve speed and energy efficiency on smooth terrain and agility over rough terrain. Inspired by these athletes, we present the design and control of a robotic platform, Ultra Mobility Vehicle (UMV), that combines a bicycle and a reaction mass to move dynamically with minimal actuated degrees of freedom. We used a simulation-driven design optimization process to synthesize a spatial linkage topology with a focus on vertical jump height and momentum-based balancing on a single wheel contact. Using a deep reinforcement learning (RL) framework, we demonstrate zero-shot transfer of diverse athletic behaviors, including track stands, jumps, wheelies, rear-wheel hopping, and front flips. This 23.5-kilogram robot is capable of high speeds ( v max = 8 meters per second) and jumping on and over large obstacles (1-meter tall or 130% of the robot’s nominal height).
The results indicate that software engineering work practices are chosen opportunistically, adapted and configured to provide value under the constrains imposed by the startup context.
Nicolò Paternoster, Carmine Giardino, M. Unterkalmsteiner et al.· Information and Software Tec...· 394 citations· ⚡54
This state-of-practice investigation was performed using a literature review followed by a multiple-case study approach and presents how inconsistency between managerial strategies and execution can lead to failure by means of a behavioral framework.
Carmine Giardino, Xiaofeng Wang, P. Abrahamsson· International Conference on...· 175 citations· ⚡19
This study conducts a case survey study based on the secondary data of the major pivots happened in 49 software startups, and demonstrates that customer need pivot is the most common among all pivot types.
Sohaib Shahid Bajwa, Xiaofeng Wang, Anh Nguyen-Duc et al.· Empirical Software Engineeri...· 127 citations· ⚡15
It is found that roles of MVPs in startups were not fully aware by entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs should consider a systematic approach to fully explore the value of MVP, as a multiple facet product (MFP).
Anh Nguyen-Duc, P. Abrahamsson· International Conference on...· 93 citations· ⚡9
It is found that what perceived as biggest challenges by software startups do vary across different life cycle stages, even though its significance decreases when the learning focuses of the startups move from problem to solution and their products mature.
Xiaofeng Wang, Henry Edison, Sohaib Shahid Bajwa et al.· International Conference on...· 62 citations· ⚡6
A comprehensive overview of how enhanced sampling methods are reshaping the field, with a particular focus on the data-driven construction of collective variables, is provided.
Kai Zhu, Enrico Trizio, Jintu Zhang et al.· Chemical Reviews· 58 citations
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MIT News · Artificial Intelligence· news.mit.eduOct 23, 2026
Assistant Professor Benjamin Lindquist studies how engineers deliberately injected randomness into early AI, giving rise to deep-learning models that sometimes hallucinate.
