Reinforcement learning is an attractive method of machine learning. However, as the state space of a given problem increases, reinforcement learning becomes increasingly inefficient. Hierarchical reinforcement learning is one method of increasing the efficiency of reinforcement learning. It involves breaking the overall goal of a problem into a hierarchy subgoals, and then attempting to achieve...

Preference-based reinforcement learning has gained significant popularity over the years, but it is still unclear what exactly preference learning is and how it relates to other reinforcement learning tasks. In this paper, we present a general definition of preferences as well as some insight how these approaches compare to reinforcement learning, inverse reinforcement learning and other relate...

In this paper we investigate the use of reinforcement learning to address the multiagent coalition formation problem in dynamic, uncertain, real-time, and noisy environments. To adapt to the complex environmental factors, we equip each agent with the case-based reinforcement learning ability which is the integration of case-based reasoning and reinforcement learning. The agent can use case-base...

Reinforcement learning is the problem of generating optimal behavior in a sequential decision-making environment given the opportunity of interacting with it. Many algorithms for solving reinforcement-learning problems work by computing improved estimates of the optimal value function. We extend prior analyses of reinforcement-learning algorithms and present a powerful new theorem that can prov...

Reinforcement schemes represent the basis of the learning process for stochastic learning automata, generating their learning behavior. An automaton using a reinforcement scheme can decide the best action, based on past actions and environment responses. The aim of this paper is to introduce a new reinforcement scheme for stochastic learning automata. We test our schema and compare with other n...

Reinforcement learning has its origin from the animal learning theory. RL does not require prior knowledge but can autonomously get optional policy with the help of knowledge obtained by trial-and-error and continuously interacting with the dynamic environment. Due to its characteristics of self improving and online learning, reinforcement learning has become one of intelligent agent’s core tec...

Recent advancements in reinforcement learning confirm that reinforcement learning techniques can solve large scale problems leading to high quality autonomous decision making. It is a matter of time until we will see large scale applications of reinforcement learning in various sectors, such as healthcare and cyber-security, among others. However, reinforcement learning can be time-consuming be...

Reinforcement learning is a very general unsupervised learning mechanism. Due to its generality reinforcement learning does not scale very well for tasks that involve inferring subtasks. In particular when the subtasks are dynamically changing and the environment is adversarial. One of the most challenging reinforcement learning tasks so far has been the 3 to 2 keepaway task in the RoboCup simu...

by MARGARET MARY SKELLY This dissertation investigates the incorporation of function approximation and hierarchy into reinforcement learning for use in an adaptive control setting through empirical studies. Reinforcement learning is an artificial intelligence technique whereby an agent discovers which actions lead to optimal task performance through interaction with its environment. Although re...