Deep Gaussian Processes (DGPs) are powerful surrogate models known for their flexibility and ability to capture complex functions. However, extending them to multi-output settings remains challenging due to the need for efficient dependency modeling. We propose the Deep Intrinsic Coregionalization Multi-Output Gaussian Process (deepICMGP) surrogate for computer simulation experiments involving multiple outputs, which extends the Intrinsic Coregionalization Model (ICM) by introducing hierarchical coregionalization structures across layers. This enables deepICMGP to effectively model nonlinear and structured dependencies between multiple outputs, addressing key limitations of traditional multi-output GPs. We benchmark deepICMGP against state-of-the-art models, demonstrating its competitive performance. Furthermore, we incorporate active learning strategies into deepICMGP to optimize sequential design tasks, enhancing its ability to efficiently select informative input locations for multi-output systems.

Transfer learning for probabilistic regression remains underexplored. This work closes this gap by introducing NIAQUE, Neural Interpretable Any-Quantile Estimation, a new model designed for transfer learning in probabilistic regression through permutation invariance. We demonstrate that pre-training NIAQUE directly on diverse downstream regression datasets and fine-tuning it on a specific target dataset enhances performance on individual regression tasks, showcasing the positive impact of probabilistic transfer learning. Furthermore, we highlight the effectiveness of NIAQUE in Kaggle competitions against strong baselines involving tree-based models and recent neural foundation models TabPFN and TabDPT. The findings highlight NIAQUE's efficacy as a robust and scalable framework for probabilistic regression, leveraging transfer learning to enhance predictive performance.

This study aims to extend the framework for assessing artificial intelligence, called GROW-AI (Growth and Realization of Autonomous Wisdom), designed to answer the question "Can machines grow up?" -- a natural successor to the Turing Test. The methodology applied is based on a system of six primary criteria (C1-C6), each assessed through a specific "game", divided into four arenas that explore both the human dimension and its transposition into AI. All decisions and actions of the entity are recorded in a standardized AI Journal, the primary source for calculating composite scores. The assessment uses the prior expert method to establish initial weights, and the global score -- Grow Up Index -- is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the six scores, with interpretation on maturity thresholds. The results show that the methodology allows for a coherent and comparable assessment of the level of "growth" of AI entities, regardless of their type (robots, software agents, LLMs). The multi-game structure highlights strengths and vulnerable areas, and the use of a unified journal guarantees traceability and replicability in the evaluation. The originality of the work lies in the conceptual transposition of the process of "growing" from the human world to that of artificial intelligence, in an integrated testing format that combines perspectives from psychology, robotics, computer science, and ethics. Through this approach, GROW-AI not only measures performance but also captures the evolutionary path of an AI entity towards maturity.

Large Neighborhood Search (LNS) is a common heuristic in combinatorial optimization that iteratively searches over a large neighborhood of the current solution for a better one. Recently, neural network-based LNS solvers have achieved great success in solving Integer Linear Programs (ILPs) by learning to greedily predict the locally optimal solution for the next neighborhood proposal. However, this greedy approach raises two key concerns: (1) to what extent this greedy proposal suffers from local optima, and (2) how can we effectively improve its sample efficiency in the long run . To address these questions, this paper first formulates LNS as a stochastic process, and then introduces SPL-LNS, a sampling-enhanced neural LNS solver that leverages locally-informed proposals to escape local optima. We also develop a novel hindsight relabeling method to efficiently train SPL-LNS on self-generated data. Experimental results demonstrate that SPL-LNS substantially surpasses prior neural LNS solvers for various ILP problems of different sizes.

Micromobility systems, which include lightweight and low-speed vehicles such as bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, have become an important part of urban transportation and are used to solve problems such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and high transportation costs. Successful utilisation of micromobilities requires optimisation of complex systems for efficiency, environmental impact mitigation, and overcoming technical challenges for user safety. Machine Learning (ML) methods have been crucial to support these advancements and to address their unique challenges. However, there is insufficient literature addressing the specific issues of ML applications in micromobilities. This survey paper addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive review of datasets, ML techniques, and their specific applications in micromobilities. Specifically, we collect and analyse various micromobility-related datasets and discuss them in terms of spatial, temporal, and feature-based characteristics. In addition, we provide a detailed overview of ML models applied in micromobilities, introducing their advantages, challenges, and specific use cases. Furthermore, we explore multiple ML applications, such as demand prediction, energy management, and safety, focusing on improving efficiency, accuracy, and user experience. Finally, we propose future research directions to address these issues, aiming to help future researchers better understand this field.

--With the increasing deployment of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in unfamiliar and complex environments, Environmental Digital Twins (EDT) that comprise weather, airspace, and terrain data are critical for safe flight planning and for maintaining appropriate altitudes during search and surveillance operations. With the expansion of sUAS capabilities through edge and cloud computing, accurate EDT are also vital for advanced sUAS capabilities, like geolocation. However, real-world sUAS deployment introduces significant sources of uncertainty, necessitating a robust validation process for EDT components. This paper focuses on the validation of terrain models, one of the key components of an EDT, for real-world sUAS tasks. These models are constructed by fusing U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) datasets and satellite imagery, incorporating high-resolution environmental data to support mission tasks. V alidating both the terrain models and their operational use by sUAS under real-world conditions presents significant challenges, including limited data granularity, terrain discontinuities, GPS and sensor inaccuracies, visual detection uncertainties, as well as onboard resources and timing constraints. We propose a 3-Dimensions validation process grounded in software engineering principles, following a workflow across granularity of tests, simulation to real world, and the analysis of simple to edge conditions. We demonstrate our approach using a multi-sUAS platform equipped with a T errain-A ware Digital Shadow. As swarms of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) are increasingly deployed in complex, unstructured environments such as disaster zones, wilderness areas, and wildfire regions, the need for accurate environmental models becomes critical. Effective sUAS mission planning requires awareness not only of dynamic airspace and weather conditions but also of the underlying terrain. In such settings, terrain is often the dominant factor influencing flight safety, sensor placement, line-of-sight communications, and search effectiveness. This paper focuses specifically on the role of terrain models that enable mission-level decision-making and flight planning for sUAS operations. However, terrain inaccuracies or blind spots, such as missing elevation data, undetected peaks, or mismatched georeferencing, can result in ineffective or even hazardous behavior by autonomous vehicles. To minimize these issues, we construct and maintain a terrain model by fusing multiple sources of environmental data, including public USGS datasets [1], [2], and satellite imagery [3].

This paper presents a multifunctional connector based on electro-permanent magnet (EPM) technology, integrating self-alignment, mechanical coupling, fluid transfer, and data communication within a compact SLA-3D printed structure. Experimental results demonstrate reliable self-alignment, efficient fluid transfer in single-loop and dual-channel modes, and robust data transmission via integrated electronic control. The connector exhibits high flexibility in accommodating axial, angular, and lateral misalignments while maintaining low energy consumption. These features make it highly suitable for modular robotics, electric vehicle charging, household robotic platforms, and aerospace docking applications.

Quantum federated learning (QFL) is a combination of distributed quantum computing and federated machine learning, integrating the strengths of both to enable privacy-preserving decentralized learning with quantum-enhanced capabilities. It appears as a promising approach for addressing challenges in efficient and secure model training across distributed quantum systems. This paper presents a comprehensive survey on QFL, exploring its key concepts, fundamentals, applications, and emerging challenges in this rapidly developing field. Specifically, we begin with an introduction to the recent advancements of QFL, followed by discussion on its market opportunity and background knowledge. We then discuss the motivation behind the integration of quantum computing and federated learning, highlighting its working principle. Moreover, we review the fundamentals of QFL and its taxonomy. Particularly, we explore federation architecture, networking topology, communication schemes, optimization techniques, and security mechanisms within QFL frameworks. Furthermore, we investigate applications of QFL across several domains which include vehicular networks, healthcare networks, satellite networks, metaverse, and network security. Additionally, we analyze frameworks and platforms related to QFL, delving into its prototype implementations, and provide a detailed case study. Key insights and lessons learned from this review of QFL are also highlighted. We complete the survey by identifying current challenges and outlining potential avenues for future research in this rapidly advancing field.

Training modern neural networks on large datasets is computationally and environmentally costly. We introduce GRAFT, a scalable in-training subset selection method that (i) extracts a low-rank feature representation for each batch, (ii) applies a Fast MaxVol sampler to select a small, diverse subset that spans the batch's dominant subspace, and (iii) dynamically adjusts the subset size using a gradient-approximation criterion. By operating in low-rank subspaces and training on carefully chosen examples instead of full batches, GRAFT preserves the training trajectory while reducing wall-clock time, energy consumption, and $\mathrm{CO}_2$ emissions. Across multiple benchmarks, GRAFT matches or exceeds recent selection baselines in both accuracy and efficiency, providing a favorable trade-off between accuracy, efficiency, and emissions.

A novel methodology for short-term energy forecasting using an Extreme Learning Machine ($\mathtt{ELM}$) is proposed. Using six years of hourly data collected in Corsica (France) from multiple energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, thermal, bioenergy, and imported electricity), our approach predicts both individual energy outputs and total production (including imports, which closely follow energy demand, modulo losses) through a Multi-Input Multi-Output ($\mathtt{MIMO}$) architecture. To address non-stationarity and seasonal variability, sliding window techniques and cyclic time encoding are incorporated, enabling dynamic adaptation to fluctuations. The $\mathtt{ELM}$ model significantly outperforms persistence-based forecasting, particularly for solar and thermal energy, achieving an $\mathtt{nRMSE}$ of $17.9\%$ and $5.1\%$, respectively, with $\mathtt{R^2} > 0.98$ (1-hour horizon). The model maintains high accuracy up to five hours ahead, beyond which renewable energy sources become increasingly volatile. While $\mathtt{MIMO}$ provides marginal gains over Single-Input Single-Output ($\mathtt{SISO}$) architectures and offers key advantages over deep learning methods such as $\mathtt{LSTM}$, it provides a closed-form solution with lower computational demands, making it well-suited for real-time applications, including online learning. Beyond predictive accuracy, the proposed methodology is adaptable to various contexts and datasets, as it can be tuned to local constraints such as resource availability, grid characteristics, and market structures.