mlp_kindling: Multi-Layer Perceptron (Feedforward Neural Network) via...

In kindling: Higher-Level Interface of 'torch' Package to Auto-Train Neural Networks

Multi-Layer Perceptron (Feedforward Neural Network) via kindling

Description

mlp_kindling() defines a feedforward neural network model that can be used for classification or regression. It integrates with the tidymodels ecosystem and uses the torch backend via kindling.

Usage

mlp_kindling(
  mode = "unknown",
  engine = "kindling",
  hidden_neurons = NULL,
  activations = NULL,
  output_activation = NULL,
  bias = NULL,
  epochs = NULL,
  batch_size = NULL,
  penalty = NULL,
  mixture = NULL,
  learn_rate = NULL,
  optimizer = NULL,
  validation_split = NULL,
  optimizer_args = NULL,
  loss = NULL,
  architecture = NULL,
  flatten_input = NULL,
  early_stopping = NULL,
  device = NULL,
  verbose = NULL,
  cache_weights = NULL
)

Arguments

mode	A single character string for the type of model. Possible values are "unknown", "regression", or "classification".
engine	A single character string specifying what computational engine to use for fitting. Currently only "kindling" is supported.
hidden_neurons	An integer vector for the number of units in each hidden layer. Can be tuned.
activations	A character vector of activation function names for each hidden layer (e.g., "relu", "tanh", "sigmoid"). Can be tuned.
output_activation	A character string for the output activation function. Can be tuned.
bias	Logical for whether to include bias terms. Can be tuned.
epochs	An integer for the number of training iterations. Can be tuned.
batch_size	An integer for the batch size during training. Can be tuned.
penalty	A number for the regularization penalty (lambda). Default 0 (no regularization). Higher values increase regularization strength. Can be tuned.
mixture	A number between 0 and 1 for the elastic net mixing parameter. Default 0 (pure L2/Ridge regularization). 0: Pure L2 regularization (Ridge) 1: Pure L1 regularization (Lasso) ⁠0 < mixture < 1⁠: Elastic net (combination of L1 and L2) Only relevant when penalty > 0. Can be tuned.
learn_rate	A number for the learning rate. Can be tuned.
optimizer	A character string for the optimizer type ("adam", "sgd", "rmsprop"). Can be tuned.
validation_split	A number between 0 and 1 for the proportion of data used for validation. Can be tuned.
optimizer_args	A named list of additional arguments passed to the optimizer. Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
loss	A character string for the loss function ("mse", "mae", "cross_entropy", "bce"). Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
architecture	An nn_arch() object for a custom architecture. Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
flatten_input	Logical or NULL. Controls input flattening. Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
early_stopping	An early_stop() object or NULL. Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
device	A character string for the device ("cpu", "cuda", "mps"). Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
verbose	Logical for whether to print training progress. Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().
cache_weights	Logical. If TRUE, stores trained weight matrices in the returned object. Cannot be tuned — pass via set_engine().

Details

This function creates a model specification for a feedforward neural network that can be used within tidymodels workflows. The model supports:

• Multiple hidden layers with configurable units

• Various activation functions per layer

• GPU acceleration (CUDA, MPS, or CPU)

• Hyperparameter tuning integration

• Both regression and classification tasks

Parameters that cannot be tuned (architecture, flatten_input, early_stopping, device, verbose, cache_weights, optimizer_args, loss) must be set via set_engine(), not as arguments to mlp_kindling().

Value

A model specification object with class mlp_kindling.

Examples

if (torch::torch_is_installed()) {
    box::use(
        recipes[recipe],
        workflows[workflow, add_recipe, add_model],
        tune[tune],
        parsnip[fit]
    )

    # library(recipes)
    # library(workflows)
    # library(parsnip)
    # library(tune)

    # Model specs
    mlp_spec = mlp_kindling(
        mode = "classification",
        hidden_neurons = c(128, 64, 32),
        activation = c("relu", "relu", "relu"),
        epochs = 100
    )

    # If you want to tune
    mlp_tune_spec = mlp_kindling(
        mode = "classification",
        hidden_neurons = tune(),
        activation = tune(),
        epochs = tune(),
        learn_rate = tune()
    )
     wf = workflow() |>
        add_recipe(recipe(Species ~ ., data = iris)) |>
        add_model(mlp_spec)

     fit_wf = fit(wf, data = iris)
} else {
    message("Torch not fully installed — skipping example")
}

kindling documentation built on March 3, 2026, 9:07 a.m.