Can Pre-Trained Text-to-Image Models Generate Visual Goals for Reinforcement Learning?

TL;DR

This paper introduces LfVoid, a novel method that uses pre-trained text-to-image models and image editing to generate goal images for reinforcement learning, enabling robots to learn from natural language instructions without domain-specific training.

Contribution

The paper presents LfVoid, a new approach that leverages pre-trained generative models and image editing to guide robot learning from language instructions without in-domain training.

Findings

LfVoid successfully guides robots in simulated tasks.

The method works in real-world scenarios.

It requires no in-domain training data.

Abstract

Pre-trained text-to-image generative models can produce diverse, semantically rich, and realistic images from natural language descriptions. Compared with language, images usually convey information with more details and less ambiguity. In this study, we propose Learning from the Void (LfVoid), a method that leverages the power of pre-trained text-to-image models and advanced image editing techniques to guide robot learning. Given natural language instructions, LfVoid can edit the original observations to obtain goal images, such as "wiping" a stain off a table. Subsequently, LfVoid trains an ensembled goal discriminator on the generated image to provide reward signals for a reinforcement learning agent, guiding it to achieve the goal. The ability of LfVoid to learn with zero in-domain training on expert demonstrations or true goal observations (the void) is attributed to the utilization of knowledge from web-scale generative models. We evaluate LfVoid across three simulated tasks and validate its feasibility in the corresponding real-world scenarios. In addition, we offer insights into the key considerations for the effective integration of visual generative models into robot learning workflows. We posit that our work represents an initial step towards the broader application of pre-trained visual generative models in the robotics field. Our project page: https://lfvoid-rl.github.io/.