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tinyDSM: A Framework for Skill Modeling and Development for Resource-Constrained Millirobots

arxiv.org/abs/2608.17596

Updated 50 min ago · first seen 11 Sept 2026

paper_01M294GQEE7E4NA0T01GQCYZ71

Published
11 Sept 2026
T1 · 50 min ago
arXiv
2608.17596
T1 · 50 min ago
Category
cs.RO
T1 · 50 min ago

Abstract

-cross Abstract: In this study, we investigate developmental mechanisms that enable small, resource-constrained systems such as cm-sized millirobots to autonomously explore, learn, and adapt their capabilities throughout their lifespan. Reinforcement learning algorithms guide the agent's skill acquisition and adaptation through the interplay of our proposed tiny Developmental Skill Method (tinyDSM), which integrates intrinsic motivation and fitness-based assessment. We strive for minimal hard-wired skills while encouraging the open-ended development of new skills. A key emphasis in our approach is to encode minimal a-priori general knowledge, which serves as a foundational starting point for the system as it further learns system-specific dependencies from the initial knowledge provided. Thus, by design, our approach aims to cover generic application domains. The methodology is based on (a) developmental mechanism with intrinsic motivation, and (b) a cognitive architecture (knowledge, reasoning, learning), while (c) utilizing minimal resources. It uses a hierarchical knowledge graph and kinematic reasoners to model and evaluate simple and advanced motion related skills. In our experiments, we use a resource-constrained millirobot with a volume of 36 cm^3 with a Raspberry Pi Pico 32-bit microcontroller that integrates all described features and capabilities except the camera system in 9 kB. Starting with learning the most elementary motor skills the millirobot autonomously progresses from simple linear and angular movements to complex geometric patterns within 15 minutes. To complement the physical experiments, we perform a simulation-based analysis that enables systematic comparisons across learning algorithms and intrinsic motivation parameters.

Authors 3

Markus Kobelrausch, Michael Miedler, Axel Jantsch

Specification

Official page

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

Arxiv announce type
replace

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

arXiv id
2608.17596

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

Categories
cs.RO, cs.AI

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

PDF

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

Primary category
cs.RO

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

Published
11 Sept 2026

Source:arXiv (Atom API + RSS)T1observed 50 min agohigh

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Provenance

Attributed facts

9

Source tiers

T19

Freshest observation

50 min ago

Conflicts

None