In this paper we present a model predictive control algorithm designed for optimizing non-linear systems subject to complex cost criteria. The algorithm is based on a stochastic optimal control framework using a fundamental relationship between the information theoretic notions of free energy and relative entropy. The optimal controls in this setting take the form of a path integral, which we approximate using an efficient importance sampling scheme. We experimentally verify the algorithm by implementing it on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and apply it to the problem of controlling a fifth-scale Auto-Rally vehicle in an aggressive driving task.
We present an information theoretic approach to stochastic optimal control problems that can be used to derive general sampling based optimization schemes. This new mathematical method is used to develop a sampling based model predictive control algorithm. We apply this information theoretic model predictive control (IT-MPC) scheme to the task of aggressive autonomous driving around a dirt test track, and compare its performance to a model predictive control version of the cross-entropy method.
Abstract-We present an algorithmic framework for stochastic model predictive control that is able to optimize non-linear systems with cost functions that have sparse, discontinuous gradient information. The proposed framework combines the benefits of sampling-based model predictive control with linearization-based trajectory optimization methods. The resulting algorithm consists of a novel utilization of Tube-based model predictive control. We demonstrate robust algorithmic performance on a variety of simulated tasks, and on a real-world fast autonomous driving task.
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