Optimal steering of a smart active particle

Institute of Theoretical Physics, Technische Universität Berlin - Hardenbergstr. 36, D-10623 Berlin, Germany

^(a) Holger.Stark@tu-berlin.de

Received: 26 July 2019
Accepted: 4 October 2019

Abstract

We formulate the theory for steering an active particle with optimal travel time between two locations and apply it to the Mexican hat potential without brim. For small heights the particle can cross the potential barrier, while for large heights it has to move around it. Thermal fluctuations in the orientation strongly affect the path over the barrier. Then we consider a smart active particle and apply reinforcement learning. We show how the active particle learns in repeating episodes to move optimally. The optimal steering is stored in the optimized action-value function, which is able to rectify thermal fluctuations.