AUTOMATED EXCAVATOR NAVIGATION USING BIM GUIDED ROBOT

Abstract

Local paths for excavation purposes need to be automated for improved accuracy and efficiency. Excavation path planning can help monitor and manage conditions on-site. So, a robot can work in all conditions when given a path without the need of labour. Construction industry is reliable on conventional methods and has been slow to embrace IT, whose substantial use can boost efficiency, cut costs, and improve safety level. To make paths more efficient or safe, Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be used to increase safety measures, improve efficiency, and reduce time by automating work on construction sites. BIM can stimulate all framework models and construction processes on a site for better work understanding and efficiency. The following study focuses on the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) with automation/simulation and a time comparison of local navigation of an excavator. This was done in a simulation software known as CoppeliaSim. A prototype was also developed using Raspberry Pi as a proof of concept for the BIM Integrated Excavator dubbed as BRAN (BIM based Robot for Autonomous Navigation) which was able to take the coordinates exported from BIM using Dynamo and navigate itself by creating a path using those coordinates. The system aims at automating the process of excavation navigation using BIM by minimising human efforts.