Higher-order Riemannian spline interpolation problems: a unified approach by gradient flows

Abstract: This paper addresses the problems of spline interpolation on smooth Riemannian manifolds, with or without the inclusion of least-squares fitting. Our unified approach utilizes gradient flows for successively connected curves or networks, providing a novel framework for tackling these challenges. This method notably extends to the variational spline interpolation problem on Lie groups, which is frequently encountered in mechanical optimal control theory. As a result, our work contributes to both geometric control theory and statistical shape data analysis. We rigorously prove the existence of global solutions in H\"{o}lder spaces for the gradient flow and demonstrate that the asymptotic limits of these solutions validate the existence of solutions to the variational spline interpolation problem. This constructive proof also offers insights into potential numerical schemes for finding such solutions, reinforcing the practical applicability of our approach.