BiMov: BIM-Based Indoor Path Planning

Abstract

Indoor path planning in a building means determining a short practicable route between two distant inner spaces, through other spaces and passages such as doors or stairs, while avoiding collisions against obstacles like walls or equipment. This paper presents an original indoor path planning method called BiMov, based on a BIM (Building Information Model). The analysis process involves several phases. First, all the possible indoor paths across the containers (spaces) are algorithmically determined based on a BIM represented by an IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file, which characterizes a rather stable situation. In a second phase, the number of paths is potentially reduced depending on the kind of MOoP (Mobile Object or Person) considered, that can be a person, disabled or not, a handling machine, a mobile robot, or a bulky equipment. In a third phase, the paths within the spaces are possibly refined, depending on their contents, which may be affected by the presence of machinery or restricted areas. In a fourth phase, the number of paths is again optionally reduced, depending on the real-time or planned status of the building’s spaces and passages, i.e. whether they are conjuncturally accessible or not. The paper will emphasize phases one and two.