Robust Non-Parametric Function Fitting

SUMMARY A robust non-parametric function fitting method is introduced. The estimate is motivated from the theory of M-estimation and of kernel estimation of regression functions. Consistency and asymptotic normality are shown. Bias and variance rates are the same as those previously obtained by Gasser and Müller (1979) for linear smoothers. The estimate satisfies a minimax property, i.e. it minimizes the maximal asymptotic variance as the error distributions vary over a suitable contamination neighbourhood.