Abstract We develop realizability models of intensional type theory, based on groupoids, wherein realizers themselves carry non-trivial (non-discrete) homotopical structure. In the spirit of realizability, this is intended to formalize a homotopical BHK interpretation, whereby evidence for an identification is a path. Specifically, we study partitioned groupoidal assemblies. Categories of such are parameterized by “realizer categories” (instead of the usual partial combinatory algebras) that come equipped with an interval qua internal cogroupoid. The interval furnishes a notion of homotopy as well as a fundamental groupoid construction. Objects in a base groupoid are realized by points in the fundamental groupoid of some object from the realizer category; isomorphisms in the base groupoid are realized by paths in said fundamental groupoid. The main result is that, under mild conditions on the realizer category, the ensuing category of partitioned groupoidal assemblies models intensional (1-truncated) type theory without function extensionality. Moreover, when the underlying realizer category is “untyped,” there exists an impredicative universe of 1-types (the modest fibrations). This is a groupoidal analog of the traditional situation.

Postulating an impredicative universe in dependent type theory allows System F style encodings of finitary inductive types, but these fail to satisfy the relevant η-equalities and consequently do not admit dependent eliminators. To recover η and dependent elimination, we present a method to construct refinements of these impredicative encodings, using ideas from homotopy type theory. We then extend our method to construct impredicative encodings of some higher inductive types, such as 1-truncation and the unit circle S1.