Active Inference for an Intelligent Agent in Autonomous Reconnaissance Missions

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Schubert, Johan, Kamrani, Farzad, Gustavi, Tove
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Schubert, Johan
Kamrani, Farzad
Gustavi, Tove
author_facet Schubert, Johan
Kamrani, Farzad
Gustavi, Tove
contents We develop an active inference route-planning method for the autonomous control of intelligent agents. The aim is to reconnoiter a geographical area to maintain a common operational picture. To achieve this, we construct an evidence map that reflects our current understanding of the situation, incorporating both positive and "negative" sensor observations of possible target objects collected over time, and diffusing the evidence across the map as time progresses. The generative model of active inference uses Dempster-Shafer theory and a Gaussian sensor model, which provides input to the agent. The generative process employs a Bayesian approach to update a posterior probability distribution. We calculate the variational free energy for all positions within the area by assessing the divergence between a pignistic probability distribution of the evidence map and a posterior probability distribution of a target object based on the observations, including the level of surprise associated with receiving new observations. Using the free energy, we direct the agents' movements in a simulation by taking an incremental step toward a position that minimizes the free energy. This approach addresses the challenge of exploration and exploitation, allowing agents to balance searching extensive areas of the geographical map while tracking identified target objects.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_17450
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Active Inference for an Intelligent Agent in Autonomous Reconnaissance Missions
Schubert, Johan
Kamrani, Farzad
Gustavi, Tove
Artificial Intelligence
H.4.2; I.2.3; I.2.6; I.2.8; I.2.9; J.7
We develop an active inference route-planning method for the autonomous control of intelligent agents. The aim is to reconnoiter a geographical area to maintain a common operational picture. To achieve this, we construct an evidence map that reflects our current understanding of the situation, incorporating both positive and "negative" sensor observations of possible target objects collected over time, and diffusing the evidence across the map as time progresses. The generative model of active inference uses Dempster-Shafer theory and a Gaussian sensor model, which provides input to the agent. The generative process employs a Bayesian approach to update a posterior probability distribution. We calculate the variational free energy for all positions within the area by assessing the divergence between a pignistic probability distribution of the evidence map and a posterior probability distribution of a target object based on the observations, including the level of surprise associated with receiving new observations. Using the free energy, we direct the agents' movements in a simulation by taking an incremental step toward a position that minimizes the free energy. This approach addresses the challenge of exploration and exploitation, allowing agents to balance searching extensive areas of the geographical map while tracking identified target objects.
title Active Inference for an Intelligent Agent in Autonomous Reconnaissance Missions
topic Artificial Intelligence
H.4.2; I.2.3; I.2.6; I.2.8; I.2.9; J.7
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.17450