Training reinforcement learning agents using augmented temporal difference learning

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training a neural network used to select actions performed by an agent interacting with an environment by performing actions that cause the environment to transition states. One of the methods includes maintaining a replay memory storing a plurality of transitions; selecting a plurality of transitions from the replay memory; and training the neural network on the plurality of transitions, comprising, for each transition: generating an initial Q value for the transition; determining a scaled Q value for the transition; determining a scaled temporal difference learning target for the transition; determining an error between the scaled temporal difference learning target and the scaled Q value; determining an update to the current values of the Q network parameters; and determining an update to the current value of the scaling term.