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Preprint

Integrating Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Safe Reinforcement Learning in a 1-DoF Helicopter System

Jul 2026 · 0 citations · 11 references
Computer Science

TL;DR

This work-in-progress paper embeds a differentiable physics model directly into the proximal policy optimization (PPO) actor loss function, by simulating short-horizon future trajectories during training, to reduce constraint violations while maintaining reliable target tracking.

Abstract

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) offers powerful control for industrial cyber-physical systems (ICPSs), but its"black-box"exploration risks violating strict hardware safety limits. Typically, these constraints are managed through complex reward shaping. In this work-in-progress paper, we embed a differentiable physics model directly into the proximal policy optimization (PPO) actor loss function. By simulating short-horizon future trajectories during training, the policy is penalized for anticipated safety violations independent of the task-reward signal. Evaluated on a simulated 1-degree-of-freedom helicopter testbed with strict pitch constraints, our physics-informed soft regularizations substantially reduce constraint violations while maintaining reliable target tracking.

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