Model-Based Reinforcement Learning in Discrete-Action Non-Markovian Reward Decision Processes

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2512.14617v1
• Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:26:24 GMT
• Title: Model-Based Reinforcement Learning in Discrete-Action Non-Markovian Reward Decision Processes
• Authors: Alessandro Trapasso, Luca Iocchi, Fabio Patrizi,
• Abstract summary: We present a novel model-based algorithm for discrete NMRDPs that factorizes Markovian transition learning from non-Markovian reward handling via reward machines.<n>We experimentally compare our method with modern state-of-the-art model-based RL approaches on environments of increasing complexity.
• Score: 46.91576262410701
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Many practical decision-making problems involve tasks whose success depends on the entire system history, rather than on achieving a state with desired properties. Markovian Reinforcement Learning (RL) approaches are not suitable for such tasks, while RL with non-Markovian reward decision processes (NMRDPs) enables agents to tackle temporal-dependency tasks. This approach has long been known to lack formal guarantees on both (near-)optimality and sample efficiency. We contribute to solving both issues with QR-MAX, a novel model-based algorithm for discrete NMRDPs that factorizes Markovian transition learning from non-Markovian reward handling via reward machines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first model-based RL algorithm for discrete-action NMRDPs that exploits this factorization to obtain PAC convergence to $\varepsilon$-optimal policies with polynomial sample complexity. We then extend QR-MAX to continuous state spaces with Bucket-QR-MAX, a SimHash-based discretiser that preserves the same factorized structure and achieves fast and stable learning without manual gridding or function approximation. We experimentally compare our method with modern state-of-the-art model-based RL approaches on environments of increasing complexity, showing a significant improvement in sample efficiency and increased robustness in finding optimal policies.

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