15 December 2023

On the 8th of December, Johan Källström at the Department of Computer and Information Science defended his thesis about reinforcement learning, a machine learning method, and its utility for simulation-based pilot training. Here is a brief summary of the thesis.

The cockpit of a Gripen E flight simulator Photographer: Per Kustvik, Saab AB
The cockpit of a Gripen E flight simulator

Team training in complex domains often requires a substantial number of resources, e.g. vehicles, machines, and role-players. For this reason, it may be difficult to realise efficient and effective training scenarios in a real-world setting. Instead, part of the training can be conducted in synthetic, computer-generated environments.

Reinforcement learning for improved utility of simulation-based training

In his doctoral thesis, Johan Källström has studied how the machine learning method reinforcement learning can be used to construct synthetic agents in support of simulation-based pilot training. The focus has been on methods that can find a balance between multiple objectives, for instance different training objectives, to optimise the utility of the user. The thesis presents agents that can provide support to instructors by efficient learning of a set of Pareto optimal policies, and by efficient adaptation to user needs in operational training systems.

To the thesis: Reinforcement learning for improved utility of simulation-based training

Frans Oliehoek hands over a document to Johan KällströmJohan Källström, to the left, and Frans Oliehoek, University of Technology, The Netherlands, Chair of examining committee. Photo credit David Bergström

Doctoral studies in computer and information science

Organisation

Latest news from LiU

En kvinna sitter i snön med en handväska.

Political polarisation blocks more sustainable transport

Trains and planes have become part of our polarised social climate one is often set against the the other. This political gridlock hinders progress towards a more sustainable transport system. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis at LiU.

En man står framför en byggnad.

Digital services can increase exclusion

When public agencies introduce digital services, one goal is to improve accessibility for citizens. But for residents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, this may create new barriers to integration. This is shown in a doctoral thesis from LiU.

Manlig forskare i labbmiljö.

Electric motors are transforming hydraulics

Electrifying hydraulics on, for example, an excavator can significantly improve efficiency. However, it requires major technical changes. Electric machines have different characteristics compared to combustion engines.