Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2201.00286

Reinforcement Learning for Task Specifications with Action-Constraints

Arun Raman·Keerthan Shagrithaya·Shalabh Bhatnagar
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

In this paper, we use concepts from supervisory control theory of discrete event systems to propose a method to learn optimal control policies for a finite-state Markov Decision Process (MDP) in which (only) certain sequences of actions are deemed unsafe (respectively safe). We assume that the set of action sequences that are deemed unsafe and/or safe are given in terms of a finite-state automaton; and propose a supervisor that disables a subset of actions at every state of the MDP so that the constraints on action sequence are satisfied. Then we present a version of the Q-learning algorithm for learning optimal policies in the presence of non-Markovian action-sequence and state constraints, where we use the development of reward machines to handle the state constraints. We illustrate the method using an example that captures the utility of automata-based methods for non-Markovian state and action specifications for reinforcement learning and show the results of simulations in this setting.

Explore related subjects

cs.LGcs.AIcs.SYeess.SY

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Arun Raman, Keerthan Shagrithaya, Shalabh Bhatnagar. 2022-01-02. Reinforcement Learning for Task Specifications with Action-Constraints. https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.00286

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Online Regularized Statistical Learning in Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space With Non-Stationary Data

We study recursive regularized learning algorithms in the reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) with non-stationary online data streams. We introduce the concept of a random Tikhonov regularization path and decompose the tracking error of the algorithm's output for the regularization path into random difference equations in RKHS. We show that the tracking error vanishes in mean square and almost surely if the regularization path is slowly time-varying. Then, leveraging the monotonicity of inverse operators and the spectral decomposition of compact operators, and introducing the RKHS persistence of excitation condition, we develop a dominated convergence method to prove the mean square and almost sure consistency between the regularization path and the unknown function to be learned. Especially, for independent and non-identically distributed data streams, the mean square and almost sure consistency between the algorithm's output and the unknown function is achieved if the input data's marginal probability measures are slowly time-varying and the average measure over each fixed-length time period is uniformly above a strictly positive finite Borel measure.

cs.LG↗
arXiv2026

Reflective Policy Optimization

On-policy reinforcement learning methods, like Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), often demand extensive data per update, leading to sample inefficiency. This paper introduces Reflective Policy Optimization (RPO), a novel on-policy extension that amalgamates past and future state-action information for policy optimization. This approach empowers the agent for introspection, allowing modifications to its actions within the current state. Theoretical analysis confirms that policy performance is monotonically improved and contracts the solution space, consequently expediting the convergence procedure. Empirical results demonstrate RPO's feasibility and efficacy in two reinforcement learning benchmarks, culminating in superior sample efficiency. The source code of this work is available at https://github.com/Edgargan/RPO.

cs.LG↗
arXiv2026

Transductive Off-policy Proximal Policy Optimization

Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) is a popular model-free reinforcement learning algorithm, esteemed for its simplicity and efficacy. However, due to its inherent on-policy nature, its proficiency in harnessing data from disparate policies is constrained. This paper introduces a novel off-policy extension to the original PPO method, christened Transductive Off-policy PPO (ToPPO). Herein, we provide theoretical justification for incorporating off-policy data in PPO training and prudent guidelines for its safe application. Our contribution includes a novel formulation of the policy improvement lower bound for prospective policies derived from off-policy data, accompanied by a computationally efficient mechanism to optimize this bound, underpinned by assurances of monotonic improvement. Comprehensive experimental results across six representative tasks underscore ToPPO's promising performance.

cs.LG↗