Analysis of object movement within an environment

A method for directing movement of a physical object from a location to a destination within a three-dimensional (3D) navigable region of an environment, the method comprising:

• dividing the navigable region into a plurality of geometric segments between the location and the destination that are assignable to the physical object, each geometric segment having a dimension proportional to operational parameters of the physical object including at least a speed of the physical object;
• assigning a sequence of geometric segments from the location to the destination for movement of the physical object, the geometric segments of the sequence being assigned incrementally, including in each increment:
• assigning a next geometric segment to the physical object moving in a current geometric segment in the sequence;
• analyzing the next geometric segment based on the operational parameters of the physical object in the current geometric segment and a condition of the environment in the next geometric segment, and based thereon in at least one increment, adjusting the dimension of the next geometric segment that is proportional to the operational parameters of the physical object, and reassigning the next segment to the physical object based on the dimension so adjusted;
• and thereafter,
• directing the physical object to move from the current geometric segment into the next geometric segment so assigned, or into the next geometric segment so reassigned in the at least one increment.

A computer-readable storage medium for directing movement of a physical object from a location to a destination within a three-dimensional (3D) navigable region of an environment, the computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by a processor, cause an apparatus to at least:

• divide the navigable region into a plurality of geometric segments between the location and the destination that are assignable to the physical object, each geometric segment having a dimension proportional to operational parameters of the physical object including at least a speed of the physical object;
• assign a sequence of geometric segments from the location to the destination for movement of the physical object, the geometric segments of the sequence being assigned incrementally including in each increment, the apparatus being caused to at least:
• assign a next geometric segment to the physical object moving in a current geometric segment in the sequence;
• analyze the next geometric segment based on the operational parameters of the physical object in the current geometric segment and a condition of the environment in the next geometric segment, and based thereon in at least one increment, adjust the dimension of the next geometric segment that is proportional to the operational parameters of the physical object, and reassign the next geometric segment to the physical object based on the dimension so adjusted;
• and thereafter,
• direct the physical object to move from the current geometric segment into the next geometric segment so assigned, or into the next geometric segment so reassigned in the at least one increment.