ep41 - A minimal history of optimal control

ep41 - A minimal history of optimal control

From inControl by Alberto Padoan

February 16, 2026 · 1h 32m · Season 4 · Episode 3

About this episode

This episode provides a minimal history of optimal control, covering key concepts and developments in the field.

Outline 00:00 - Intro 02:55 - Brachistochrone problem 20:52 - Beginning of the calculus of variations 32:00 - Principle of least action 42:37 - Maximum principle 1:02:35 - Dynamic programming 1:11:12 - Linear quadratic control 1:16:37 - Beyond optimal control: games, nonsmooth analysis, MPC, RL 1:28:40 - Outro Links 300 years of optimal control: https://tinyurl.com/2s3t8se4 Brachistochrone: https://tinyurl.com/mwmv38ew Acta Eruditorum, 1696: https://tinyurl.com/55yf5v49 Acta Eruditorum, 1697:...

People in this episode

Host: Alberto Padoan

Topics covered

  • optimal control
  • calculus of variations
  • dynamic programming
  • principle of least action
  • linear quadratic control
  • game theory
  • nonsmooth analysis

Keywords

  • optimal control
  • Brachistochrone problem
  • calculus of variations
  • dynamic programming
  • linear quadratic control
  • principle of least action
  • maximum principle
  • MPC
  • RL

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Brachistochrone problem, calculus of variations, Principle of least action, Maximum principle, Dynamic programming, Linear quadratic control, optimal control, games, nonsmooth analysis, MPC

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