Systems and techniques are described that provide for generalizable approach policy learning and implementation for robotic object approaching. Described techniques provide fast and accurate approaching of a specified object, or type of object, in many different environments. The described techniques enable a robot to receive an identification of an object or type of object from a user, and then navigate to the desired object, without further control from the user. Moreover, the approach of the robot to the desired object is performed efficiently, e.g., with a minimum number of movements. Further, the approach techniques may be used even when the robot is placed in a new environment, such as when the same type of object must be approached in multiple settings.