Training Multi-Image Vision Agents via End2End Reinforcement Learning
On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Multimodal and embodied agents
Abstract (arXiv)
Recent VLM-based agents aim to replicate OpenAI O3's "thinking with images" via tool use, yet most open-source methods restrict inputs to a single image, limiting their applicability to real-world multi-image QA tasks. To address this gap, we propose IMAgent, an open-source visual agent trained with end-to-end reinforcement learning for fine-grained single/multi-image reasoning. During inference, VLMs tend to gradually neglect visual inputs; to mitigate this issue, we design two dedicated tools for visual reflection and verification, enabling the model to actively refocus attention on image content. Beyond that, we, for the first time, reveal how tool usage enhances agent performance from an attention perspective. Equipped with a carefully designed two-layer motion trajectory masking strategy and tool-use reward gain, IMAgent acquires an effective tool-use paradigm through pure reinforcement learning, eliminating the need for costly supervised fine-tuning data. To further unleash the inherent tool-usage potential of the base VLM and fill data gaps, we construct a challenging, visually enriched multi-image QA dataset via multi-agent system. Extensive experiments validate that IMAgent achieves SOTA performance across mainstream single and multi-image benchmarks, and our in-depth analysis offers actionable insights for the community. Code and data will be released soon.
Key facts. Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Multimodal and embodied agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 57 of its 69 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 5 Dec 2025.
Builds on
57 of 69 references.
Closest ancestors · 4
Same direction, newest first
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- 2025WebWatcher: Breaking New Frontier of Vision-Language Deep Research Agent7 Aug
- 2025VTool-R1: VLMs Learn to Think with Images via Reinforcement Learning on Multimodal Tool Use25 May
Other references · 53
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50 most cited of 53 All 53 (JSON)
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Citing papers per year: 2025: 1; 2026: 3.
4 papers.
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- 2026Making Every Tool Call Count: Necessary Tool-Evidence Path Rewards for Agentic Vision-Language Models3 Sep 2026
- 2026TAPO: Tool-Aware Policy Optimization via Credit Transfer for Multimodal Search Agents4 Jun 2026
- 2026VistaHop: Benchmarking Long-Horizon Visual DeepSearch2 Jun 2026
- 2025LocalSearchBench: Benchmarking Agentic Search in Real-World Local Life Services8 Dec 2025
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