Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 10:30 - 14:30

SR 02-016/18 Geb. 101

This workshop explores how large language models (LLMs) can be applied to control and engineering. As a complementary topic, we provide an introduction to normalizing flows and diffusion models in the context of control.

Program

An MPC prior for Diffusion (Jasper Hoffmann)

This talk introduces diffusion models through the lens of flow matching, highlighting their advantages as simulation-free alternatives to continuous normalizing flows. After building the mathematical foundation of flows and conditional vector fields, we discuss how diffusion models can be applied to generative modeling tasks and extended toward control problems. In particular, we explore how trajectory distributions can be learned with diffusion and conditioned on states, goals, and constraints. We further discuss applications that use flow matching to imitate MPC planners and conclude by identifying open challenges and avenues for future research at the intersection of diffusion and control.

Schedule

10:30 An MPC prior for Diffusion (Jasper Hoffmann)

11:30 TBA (TBA)

12:30 Lunch Break

13:30 TBA (TBA)

14:30 End

Location

We meet at the technical faculty in Geb. 101, which is at the front of the campus: