  The problem of complex data analysis is a central topic of modern statistical
science and learning systems and is becoming of broader interest with the
increasing prevalence of high-dimensional data. The challenge is to develop
statistical models and autonomous algorithms that are able to acquire knowledge
from raw data for exploratory analysis, which can be achieved through
clustering techniques or to make predictions of future data via classification
(i.e., discriminant analysis) techniques. Latent data models, including mixture
model-based approaches are one of the most popular and successful approaches in
both the unsupervised context (i.e., clustering) and the supervised one (i.e,
classification or discrimination). Although traditionally tools of multivariate
analysis, they are growing in popularity when considered in the framework of
functional data analysis (FDA). FDA is the data analysis paradigm in which the
individual data units are functions (e.g., curves, surfaces), rather than
simple vectors. In many areas of application, the analyzed data are indeed
often available in the form of discretized values of functions or curves (e.g.,
time series, waveforms) and surfaces (e.g., 2d-images, spatio-temporal data).
This functional aspect of the data adds additional difficulties compared to the
case of a classical multivariate (non-functional) data analysis. We review and
present approaches for model-based clustering and classification of functional
data. We derive well-established statistical models along with efficient
algorithmic tools to address problems regarding the clustering and the
classification of these high-dimensional data, including their heterogeneity,
missing information, and dynamical hidden structure. The presented models and
algorithms are illustrated on real-world functional data analysis problems from
several application area.
