mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

Gait-Conditioned Reinforcement Learning with Multi-Phase Curriculum for Humanoid Locomotion

arXiv 2505.20619 ↗First posted 27 May 2025cs.ROcited by 6

On the map: Deep reinforcement learning methods → RL for robot locomotion and manipulation

Abstract (arXiv)

We present a unified gait-conditioned reinforcement learning framework that enables humanoid robots to perform standing, walking, running, and smooth transitions within a single recurrent policy. A compact reward routing mechanism dynamically activates gait-specific objectives based on a one-hot gait ID, mitigating reward interference and supporting stable multi-gait learning. Human-inspired reward terms promote biomechanically natural motions, such as straight-knee stance and coordinated arm-leg swing, without requiring motion capture data. A structured curriculum progressively introduces gait complexity and expands command space over multiple phases. In simulation, the policy successfully achieves robust standing, walking, running, and gait transitions. On the real Unitree G1 humanoid, we validate standing, walking, and walk-to-stand transitions, demonstrating stable and coordinated locomotion. This work provides a scalable, reference-free solution toward versatile and naturalistic humanoid control across diverse modes and environments.

Key facts. Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in RL for robot locomotion and manipulation, one of 15 directions in Deep reinforcement learning methods. Builds on 24 of its 44 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 27 May 2025.

Builds on

24 of 44 references.

Closest ancestors · 2

Same direction, newest first

  1. 2024Deep Reinforcement Learning for Bipedal Locomotion: A Brief Survey25 Apr
  2. 2024Whole-body Humanoid Robot Locomotion with Human Reference28 Feb

Other references · 22

  1. 2017Proximal Policy Optimization Algorithmscited by 15,215
  2. 2018Learning Dexterous In-Hand Manipulationcited by 687
  3. 2021Learning to Walk in Minutes Using Massively Parallel Deep Reinforcement Learningcited by 512
  4. 2019Learning agile and dynamic motor skills for legged robotscited by 504
  5. 2015Policy Distillationcited by 440
  6. 2023Perpetual Humanoid Control for Real-time Simulated Avatarscited by 218
  7. 2023Real-World Humanoid Locomotion with Reinforcement Learningcited by 187
  8. 2018DeepMimic: Example-Guided Deep Reinforcement Learning of Physics-Based Character Skillscited by 163
  9. 2023Robot Parkour Learningcited by 149
  10. 2021Reinforcement Learning for Robust Parameterized Locomotion Control of Bipedal Robotscited by 116
  11. 2019MCP: Learning Composable Hierarchical Control with Multiplicative Compositional Policiescited by 108
  12. 2020Sim-to-Real Learning of All Common Bipedal Gaits via Periodic Reward Compositioncited by 96
10 more
  1. 2021Blind Bipedal Stair Traversal via Sim-to-Real Reinforcement Learningcited by 92
  2. 2022Adversarial Motion Priors Make Good Substitutes for Complex Reward Functionscited by 89
  3. 2018Learning Symmetric and Low-energy Locomotioncited by 61
  4. 2020ALLSTEPS: Curriculum-driven Learning of Stepping Stone Skillscited by 54
  5. 2023Learning Vision-Based Bipedal Locomotion for Challenging Terraincited by 42
  6. 2023Lifelike Agility and Play in Quadrupedal Robots using Reinforcement Learning and Generative Pre-trained Modelscited by 37
  7. 2022Sim-to-Real Learning of Footstep-Constrained Bipedal Dynamic Walkingcited by 13
  8. 2022Learning Dynamic Bipedal Walking Across Stepping Stonescited by 9
  9. 2024Learning to Adapt through Bio-Inspired Gait Strategies for Versatile Quadruped Locomotioncited by 6
  10. 2024Learning Bipedal Walking on a Quadruped Robot via Adversarial Motion Priorscited by 4

Built on by

Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2025: 2; 2026: 4.

6 papers.

Similar, not cited

Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2025A Gait Driven Reinforcement Learning Framework for Humanoid Robots
  2. 2026HuMBLE: Human Motion-Driven Behavior Learning for Embodied Locomotion ↗
  3. 2020Learning natural locomotion behaviors for humanoid robots using human knowledge
  4. 2025NaviGait: Navigating Dynamically Feasible Gait Libraries using Deep Reinforcement Learning
  5. 2024A Learning Framework for Diverse Legged Robot Locomotion Using Barrier-Based Style Rewards
  6. 2025RuN: Residual Policy for Natural Humanoid Locomotion
  7. 2025STRIDE: Automating Reward Design, Deep Reinforcement Learning Training and Feedback Optimization in Humanoid Robotics Locomotion
  8. 2025Chasing Stability: Humanoid Running via Control Lyapunov Function Guided Reinforcement Learning