Game-theoretic and risk-sensitive stochastic optimal control via forward and backward stochastic differential equations

In this work we present a sampling-based algorithm designed to solve game-theoretic control problems and risk-sensitive stochastic optimal control problems. The cornerstone of the proposed approach is the formulation of the problem in terms of forward and backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs). By means of a nonlinear version of the Feynman-Kac lemma, we obtain a probabilistic representation of the solution to the nonlinear Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs equation, expressed in the form of a decoupled system of FBSDEs. This system of FBSDEs can then be simulated by employing linear regression techniques. Utilizing the connection between stochastic differential games and risk-sensitive optimal control, we demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is also applicable to the latter class of problems. Simulation results validate the algorithm.