Improving Generalization of Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning Through Domain-Invariant Feature Extraction

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Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning – ICANN 2023 (ICANN 2023)

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Abstract

The limited generalization ability of reinforcement learning constrains its potential applications, particularly in complex scenarios such as multi-agent systems. To overcome this limitation and enhance the generalization capability of MARL algorithms, this paper proposes a three-stage method that integrates domain randomization and domain adaptation to extract effective features for policy learning. Specifically, the first stage samples environments provided for training and testing in the following stages using domain randomization. The second stage pretrains a domain-invariant feature extractor (DIFE) which employs cycle consistency to disentangle domain-invariant and domain-specific features. The third stage utilizes DIFE for policy learning. Experimental results in MPE tasks demonstrate that our approach yields better performance and generalization ability. Meanwhile, the features captured by DIFE are more interpretable for subsequent policy learning in visualization analysis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Bei**g Nova Program under Grant 20220484077, the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62073323, the External cooperation key project of Chinese Academy Sciences No. 173211KYSB20200002.

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Correspondence to Zhiqiang Pu .

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Xu, Y., Pu, Z., Cai, Q., Li, F., Chai, X. (2023). Improving Generalization of Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning Through Domain-Invariant Feature Extraction. In: Iliadis, L., Papaleonidas, A., Angelov, P., Jayne, C. (eds) Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning – ICANN 2023. ICANN 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14259. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44223-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44223-0_5

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