Optimal matching between curves in a manifold

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the computation of an optimal matching between two manifold-valued curves. Curves are seen as elements of an infinite-dimensional manifold and compared using a Riemannian metric that is invariant under the action of the reparameterization group. This group induces a quotient structure classically interpreted as the ''shape space''. We introduce a simple algorithm allowing to compute geodesics of the quotient shape space using a canonical decomposition of a path in the associated principal bundle. We consider the particular case of elastic metrics and show simulations for open curves in the plane, the hyperbolic plane and the sphere.