Adaptive Deep Learning for High Dimensional Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equations

Computing optimal feedback controls for nonlinear systems generally requires solving Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equations, which, in high dimensions, are notoriously difficult. Existing strategies for high dimensional problems generally rely on specific, restrictive problem structures, or are valid only locally around some nominal trajectory. In this paper, we propose a data-driven method to approximate semi-global solutions to HJB equations for general high dimensional nonlinear systems and compute optimal feedback controls in real-time. To accomplish this, we model solutions to HJB equations with neural networks (NNs) trained on data generated independently of any state space discretization. Training is made more effective and efficient by leveraging the known physics of the problem and using the partially trained NN to aid in adaptive data generation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method by learning the approximate solution to the HJB equation corresponding to the stabilization of six dimensional nonlinear rigid body, and controlling the system with the trained NN.