The development of reaching and grasping: towards an integrated framework based on a critical review of computational and robotic models

The development of reaching and grasping skills in infants is a complex process that involves several interdependent brain structures and learning processes and takes 2-3 years to accomplish the final efficient, effective, and flexible performance of the two behaviours. Objective of this chapter is to contribute to the formulation of an integrated view on the computational mechanisms that might underlie the development of reaching and grasping and possibly other more sophisticated motor and cognitive abilities.