Exploration is the key ingredient of reinforcement learning (RL) that determines the speed and success of learning. Here, we quantify and compare the amount of exploration and learning accomplished by a Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm. Specifically, we propose a novel measure, named Exploration Index, that quantifies the relative effort of knowledge transfer (transferability) by an RL algorithm in comparison to supervised learning (SL) that transforms the initial data distribution of RL to the corresponding final data distribution. The comparison is established by formulating learning in RL as a sequence of SL tasks, and using optimal transport based metrics to compare the total path traversed by the RL and SL algorithms in the data distribution space. We perform extensive empirical analysis on various environments and with multiple algorithms to demonstrate that the exploration index yields insights about the exploration behaviour of any RL algorithm, and also allows us to compare the exploratory behaviours of different RL algorithms.

This paper introduces a cognitive architecture for a humanoid robot to engage in a proactive, mixed-initiative exploration and manipulation of its environment, where the initiative can originate from both the human and the robot. The framework, based on a biologically-grounded theory of the brain and mind, integrates a reactive interaction engine, a number of state-of-the-art perceptual and motor learning algorithms, as well as planning abilities and an autobiographical memory. The architecture as a whole drives the robot behavior to solve the symbol grounding problem, acquire language capabilities, execute goal-oriented behavior, and express a verbal narrative of its own experience in the world. We validate our approach in human-robot interaction experiments with the iCub humanoid robot, showing that the proposed cognitive architecture can be applied in real time within a realistic scenario and that it can be used with naive users.

Following Simon's (1969) observation that complex behaviour may simply be the reflection of a complex environment a number of researchers (eg.