# Control of Cellular Automata by Moving Agents with Reinforcement Learning

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.10066 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.10066/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Deep RL algorithms and representations, one of 15 directions in Deep reinforcement learning methods.
- Builds on 0 of its 4 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 11 Apr 2026.

## Placed in

- Deep reinforcement learning methods / [Deep RL algorithms and representations](https://mlsanity.com/deeprl/deep-rl-algorithms-and-representations/)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In this exploratory paper we introduce the problem of cognitive agents that learn how to modify their environment according to local sensing to reach a global goal. We concentrate on discrete dynamics (cellular automata) on a two-dimensional system. We show that agents may learn how to approximate their goal when the environment is passive, while this task becomes impossible if the environment follows an active dynamics.