Probabilistic constrained reinforcement learning with formal interpretability
File(s)7174_Probabilistic_Constrained.pdf (9 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Wang, Y
Qian, Q
Boyle, D
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Reinforcement learning can provide effective reasoning for sequential decision-making problems with variable dynamics. Such reasoning in practical implementation, however, poses a persistent challenge in interpreting the reward function and the corresponding optimal policy. Consequently, representing sequential decision-making problems as probabilistic inference can have considerable value, as, in principle, the inference offers diverse and powerful mathematical tools to infer the stochastic dynamics whilst suggesting a probabilistic interpretation of policy optimization. In this study, we propose a novel Adaptive Wasserstein Variational Optimization, namely AWaVO, to tackle these interpretability challenges. Our approach uses formal methods to achieve the interpretability for convergence guarantee, training transparency, and intrinsic decision-interpretation. To demonstrate its practicality, we showcase guaranteed interpretability with a global convergence rate Θ(1/√T) in simulation and in practical quadrotor tasks. In comparison with state-of-the-art benchmarks, including TRPO-IPO, PCPO, and CRPO, we empirically verify that AWaVO offers a reasonable trade-off between high performance and sufficient interpretability.
Date Issued
2024-07-21
Date Acceptance
2024-07-01
Citation
Proceedings of Machine Learning Research, 2024, 235, pp.51303-51327
ISSN
2640-3498
Publisher
MLResearchPress
Start Page
51303
End Page
51327
Journal / Book Title
Proceedings of Machine Learning Research
Volume
235
Copyright Statement
Copyright © The authors and PMLR 2024. MLResearchPress.
Source
International Conference on Machine Learning
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2024-07-21
Finish Date
2024-07-27
Coverage Spatial
Vienna, Austria