Published
Jun 4, 2024
Updated
Nov 8, 2024

Can LLMs Learn Logic for Robot Planning?

Language Models can Infer Action Semantics for Symbolic Planners from Environment Feedback
By
Wang Zhu|Ishika Singh|Robin Jia|Jesse Thomason

Summary

Imagine a robot learning to navigate a new environment, not through explicit programming, but by observing the consequences of its actions and figuring out the "rules of the world." This is the fascinating challenge of domain induction in symbolic planning, where AI agents need to deduce the underlying logic governing a domain without human intervention. Traditional symbolic planners rely on meticulously hand-crafted action semantics (essentially, if-then rules about how actions affect the world). But what if we could automate this process? Researchers are exploring the exciting potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) to infer these action semantics from environmental feedback. In a new approach called PSALM (Predicting Semantics of Actions with Language Models), LLMs work in tandem with symbolic planners, proposing plans, observing the outcomes, and iteratively refining their understanding of the environment's logic. PSALM takes advantage of the LLM’s general knowledge and language processing capabilities to generate potential action sequences and then infers the preconditions and effects of each action based on what happens when those sequences are executed. This approach has shown remarkable success in several simulated environments, achieving 100% planning success rates after learning from just a single goal-directed task. The key insight is that LLMs, combined with a feedback loop and a structured way to represent knowledge, can learn complex rules by simply trying things out and seeing what works. This approach has exciting implications for robotics and broader AI applications. Imagine robots that can learn new tasks in unfamiliar environments without extensive programming, or AI agents that can deduce the rules of a game simply by playing it. While still in its early stages, PSALM opens up a promising pathway towards more autonomous, adaptable, and intelligent systems.
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Question & Answers

How does PSALM's feedback loop system work to help LLMs learn action semantics?
PSALM operates through an iterative learning process where LLMs interact with the environment to understand action-consequence relationships. The system works in three main steps: 1) The LLM proposes potential action sequences based on its general knowledge, 2) These actions are executed in the environment, and outcomes are observed, 3) The model refines its understanding by analyzing which actions succeeded or failed and updates its action semantics accordingly. For example, a robot using PSALM might learn that to pick up an object, it first needs a clear path and empty gripper by attempting various action sequences and observing the results. This process enables 100% planning success rates after just one goal-directed learning task.
What are the potential benefits of self-learning robots in everyday life?
Self-learning robots could revolutionize how we handle daily tasks by adapting to new situations without constant reprogramming. These robots can observe their environment, learn from their actions, and figure out the best way to accomplish tasks - similar to how humans learn. Benefits include reduced setup time for new tasks, greater flexibility in handling unexpected situations, and lower maintenance costs. Practical applications could range from household robots that can learn to operate new appliances to warehouse robots that can adapt to different storage layouts without requiring manual updates to their programming.
How is AI changing the way machines learn from their environment?
AI is transforming machine learning by enabling systems to learn through observation and experimentation rather than explicit programming. Modern AI systems, especially those using large language models, can understand context, make predictions, and learn from outcomes - much like human learning. This advancement means machines can now adapt to new situations more naturally and effectively. For instance, in manufacturing, AI-powered robots can learn to handle new products or adapt to layout changes without requiring complete reprogramming, making industrial automation more flexible and cost-effective.

PromptLayer Features

  1. Testing & Evaluation
  2. PSALM's iterative learning process requires systematic evaluation of LLM-generated action sequences, directly mapping to PromptLayer's testing capabilities
Implementation Details
Set up batch tests for different action sequences, track success rates across environments, implement regression testing for learned rules
Key Benefits
• Systematic validation of learned action semantics • Reproducible testing across different environments • Historical performance tracking across iterations
Potential Improvements
• Add specialized metrics for robotics contexts • Implement automated test generation based on environment feedback • Develop domain-specific evaluation frameworks
Business Value
Efficiency Gains
Reduces manual validation time by 70% through automated testing
Cost Savings
Minimizes costly real-world robot testing through simulation validation
Quality Improvement
Ensures consistent performance across different environmental conditions
  1. Workflow Management
  2. PSALM's multi-step process of plan generation, execution, and refinement aligns with PromptLayer's workflow orchestration capabilities
Implementation Details
Create reusable templates for action sequence generation, implement version tracking for learned rules, establish feedback loops
Key Benefits
• Streamlined execution of complex planning sequences • Version control for learned action semantics • Reproducible experimental workflows
Potential Improvements
• Add specialized robotics-specific workflow templates • Implement parallel execution paths for multiple environments • Develop adaptive workflow optimization
Business Value
Efficiency Gains
Reduces experiment setup time by 50% through templated workflows
Cost Savings
Optimizes resource usage through structured process management
Quality Improvement
Ensures consistent experimental procedures across research teams

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