10.1162/153244303768966148
Applied Physics Letters · 2000
In this paper e-MDP-models are introduced and convergence theorems are proven using the generalized MDP framework of Szepesvari and Littman. Using this model family, we show that Q-learning is capable of finding near-optimal policies in varying environments. The potential of this new family of MDP models is illustrated via a reinforcement learning algorithm called event-learning which separates the optimization of decision making from the controller. We show that event-learning augmented by a particular controller, which gives rise to an e-MDP, enables near optimal performance even if considerable and sudden changes may occur in the environment. Illustrations are provided on the two-segment pendulum problem.