Gradient Based Algorithms with Loss Functions and Kernels for Improved On-Policy Control

Abstract

We introduce and empirically evaluate two novel online gradient-based reinforcement learning algorithms with function approximation --- one model based, and the other model free. These algorithms come with the possibility of having non-squared loss functions which is novel in reinforcement learning, and seems to come with empirical advantages. We further extend a previous gradient based algorithm to the case of full control, by using generalized policy iteration. Theoretical properties of these algorithms are studied in a companion paper.