Evaluation of Deep Learning-Based Automatic Floor Plan Analysis Technology: An AHP-Based Assessment

• Main Author: Hyunjung Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: analytical hierarchy process; automatic floor plan technology; deep learning network; technology evaluation; indoor spatial information
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/11/4727

This study proposes a technology that allows automatic extraction of vectorized indoor spatial information from raster images of floor plans. Automatic reconstruction of indoor spaces from floor plans is based on a deep learning algorithm, which trains on scanned floor plan images and extracts critical indoor elements such as room structures, junctions, walls, and openings. The newly developed technology proposed herein can handle complicated floor plans which could not be automatically extracted by previous studies because of its complexity and difficulty in being trained in deep learning. Such complicated reconstruction solely from a floor plan image can be digitized and vectorized either through manual drawing or with the help of newly developed deep learning-based automatic extraction. This study proposes an evaluation framework for assessing this newly developed technology against manual digitization. Using the analytical hierarchy process, the hierarchical aspects of technology value and their relative importance are systematically quantified. The analysis suggested that the automatic technology using a deep learning algorithm had predominant criteria followed by, substitutability, completeness, and supply and demand. In this study, the technology value of automatic floor plan analysis compared with that of traditional manual edits is compared systemically and assessed qualitatively, which had not been done in existing studies. Consequently, this study determines the effectiveness and usefulness of automatic floor plan analysis as a reasonable technology for acquiring indoor spatial information.