How computers learn to recognize objects instantly | Joseph Redmon

TED
18 Aug 201707:38

TLDRJoseph Redmon discusses the evolution of computer vision, from the difficulty of distinguishing cats from dogs to the current ability to recognize specific breeds. He introduces Darknet, a neural network framework, and YOLO, a real-time object detection system, highlighting its applications in various fields like self-driving cars and medical imaging.

Takeaways

  • 🧠 Image classification has advanced to the point where computers can distinguish between a cat and a dog with over 99% accuracy.
  • 🎓 Joseph Redmon is a graduate student at the University of Washington working on the Darknet project, a neural network framework for computer vision models.
  • 🐶 Darknet can classify images not just to general categories like 'dog' or 'cat', but also to specific breeds, such as identifying a malamute.
  • 🔍 Object detection goes beyond image classification by identifying and locating all objects in an image with bounding boxes and labels.
  • 🚗 The importance of speed in object detection is crucial for real-world applications like self-driving vehicles and robotics.
  • 🕒 The development of object detection systems has seen a significant improvement in speed, from 20 seconds per image to 20 milliseconds per image.
  • 🌟 The YOLO (You Only Look Once) method revolutionized object detection by training a single network to produce all bounding boxes and class probabilities simultaneously.
  • 📹 Real-time video processing is now possible with the advancements in object detection technology, allowing for dynamic tracking and analysis.
  • 🌐 The YOLO detector was trained on a diverse set of 80 classes from Microsoft's COCO dataset, recognizing common and exotic objects alike.
  • 📱 Object detection technology has been optimized for mobile devices, making it accessible for a wide range of applications on smartphones.
  • 🌏 The open-source nature of Darknet has facilitated global research and development in various fields, including medicine and wildlife census.

Q & A

  • What was the initial perception of computer vision researchers about the difficulty of distinguishing between a cat and a dog using a computer 10 years ago?

    -Ten years ago, computer vision researchers thought that getting a computer to tell the difference between a cat and a dog would be almost impossible, even with significant advances in artificial intelligence.

  • What is the current level of accuracy in image classification for distinguishing between different objects?

    -Now we can do image classification with a level greater than 99 percent accuracy.

  • What is the project Joseph Redmon is working on, and what is its purpose?

    -Joseph Redmon is working on a project called Darknet, which is a neural network framework for training and testing computer vision models.

  • How does Darknet's classifier provide more than just a prediction of dog or cat? What does it offer instead?

    -When Darknet's classifier is run on an image, it provides specific breed predictions, indicating a higher level of granularity in image classification.

  • What is the main difference between image classification and object detection?

    -Image classification involves labeling an image with a single category, whereas object detection involves identifying all objects in an image, placing bounding boxes around them, and labeling what those objects are.

  • Why is speed important in the domain of object detection, especially for applications like self-driving vehicles?

    -Speed is crucial in object detection because it allows the system to process images in real time, which is essential for dynamic applications like self-driving vehicles where the state of the world can change rapidly.

  • What is the YOLO method, and how does it differ from traditional object detection systems?

    -The YOLO (You Only Look Once) method is an object detection system that processes an image once and produces all bounding boxes and class probabilities simultaneously, unlike traditional systems that would split an image into regions and run a classifier on each region multiple times.

  • How has the speed of object detection improved over the years according to Joseph Redmon's talk?

    -Over the years, the speed of object detection has improved from taking 20 seconds per image to 20 milliseconds per image, a thousand times faster.

  • What is the significance of Darknet being open source and in the public domain?

    -Darknet being open source and in the public domain means it is freely available for anyone to use, which has led to its adoption in various fields such as medicine and robotics for advances in technology.

  • How has object detection technology been made more accessible and usable through model optimization and other techniques?

    -Through model optimization, network binarization, and approximation, object detection technology has been made accessible to the point where it can run on a phone, making it more usable for a wider range of applications.

  • What is the potential impact of making object detection technology widely available, as mentioned by Joseph Redmon?

    -Making object detection technology widely available allows people around the world to build innovative solutions in various fields, such as medicine, robotics, and environmental conservation, as demonstrated by the example of taking a census of animals in Nairobi National Park.

Outlines

00:00

🐶 Advancements in Image Classification and Object Detection

This paragraph discusses the significant progress made in the field of computer vision over the past decade. Initially, distinguishing between a cat and a dog was considered a monumental task, but now, with the help of neural network frameworks like Darknet, image classification can be performed with over 99% accuracy. The speaker, a graduate student at the University of Washington, demonstrates how their project can not only identify a dog or cat but also predict the specific breed, showcasing the granularity of current technology. However, the speaker also points out the limitations of image classification when faced with ambiguous images, highlighting the need for object detection. Object detection involves identifying and labeling all objects in an image, providing crucial spatial and contextual information. The paragraph also touches on the importance of speed in object detection, especially for real-world applications like self-driving vehicles, and describes the evolution from a slow, region-based detection system to a faster, single-network approach known as the YOLO method.

05:02

📈 Real-Time Object Detection and Its Applications

In this paragraph, the speaker continues the discussion on object detection by demonstrating its real-time capabilities on a laptop. They emphasize the versatility of the detection system, trained on 80 different classes from Microsoft's COCO dataset, which includes common objects like spoons and forks, as well as more exotic items like animals and vehicles. The speaker then engages the audience by using the detection system to identify objects in the room, such as stuffed animals and stop signs, adjusting the detection threshold to accommodate more items. The paragraph also highlights the general-purpose nature of the object detection system, which can be applied to various domains, from self-driving vehicles to medical imaging. The speaker mentions the use of YOLO in a wildlife census in Nairobi National Park, showcasing the technology's global impact. Finally, the speaker discusses efforts to make object detection more accessible by optimizing models for mobile devices, enabling anyone to use this powerful technology for various applications.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Image Classification

Image classification is the process by which a computer system is trained to categorize images into different classes or labels. In the context of the video, Joseph Redmon explains that this technology has advanced to the point where computers can distinguish between a cat and a dog with over 99 percent accuracy. This concept is central to the video's theme, as it sets the stage for the more complex task of object detection.

💡Darknet

Darknet is a neural network framework developed by Joseph Redmon for training and testing computer vision models. It plays a significant role in the video as it is used to demonstrate the capabilities of modern computer vision systems in recognizing and classifying images. The script shows Darknet's ability to not only identify a general object like a dog, but also to predict the specific breed, which is an example of the system's advanced capabilities.

💡Object Detection

Object detection is a more advanced task in computer vision that involves not only identifying objects within an image but also locating them by drawing bounding boxes around them. The script illustrates the importance of object detection for applications like self-driving cars or robotic systems, where understanding the environment is crucial. The video emphasizes the evolution from slow, inefficient methods to real-time detection systems.

💡Breeding Box

A bounding box is a rectangular frame that outlines an object within an image, which is a key component of object detection. In the video, bounding boxes are used to identify and locate objects such as a cat and a dog, providing spatial information that is vital for applications relying on computer vision.

💡Neural Network

A neural network is a set of algorithms modeled loosely after the human brain that are designed to recognize patterns. In the script, neural networks are the underlying technology that enables image classification and object detection. The development of neural networks has been instrumental in the progress shown in the video, allowing for faster and more accurate recognition of objects.

💡YOLO (You Only Look Once)

YOLO is an object detection method that, as the name suggests, processes an image in one go, producing all bounding boxes and class probabilities simultaneously. This is a significant improvement over previous methods that required running a classifier multiple times over an image. The script highlights YOLO as the key to the speed and efficiency of modern object detection systems.

💡Microsoft's COCO Dataset

The Microsoft COCO dataset is a large-scale dataset used for training and evaluating computer vision algorithms. It contains a variety of images with common and exotic objects labeled for detection. The script mentions that a detector trained on this dataset can identify a wide range of objects, demonstrating the versatility and power of modern computer vision systems.

💡Model Optimization

Model optimization refers to the process of improving the performance of a neural network model, often by reducing its computational requirements or increasing its speed without significantly compromising accuracy. The script discusses how model optimization techniques have enabled object detection to run on mobile devices, making this technology more accessible.

💡Open Source

Open source describes software where the source code is available to the public, allowing anyone to view, modify, and distribute it. In the video, Joseph Redmon mentions that Darknet is open source, which has facilitated its adoption and adaptation by researchers and developers worldwide for various applications, including medical and environmental studies.

💡Real-time Processing

Real-time processing is the ability of a computer system to process data as it is received, without any perceptible delay. The script emphasizes the importance of real-time processing in computer vision for applications that require immediate responses, such as self-driving vehicles. The video demonstrates a real-time object detection system running smoothly on a laptop.

💡General Purpose Object Detection System

A general purpose object detection system is designed to be versatile and applicable across various domains and scenarios. The script explains that the same system used to detect objects in traffic can be repurposed to detect anomalies in medical images, showcasing the adaptability of modern computer vision technology.

Highlights

Ten years ago, computer vision researchers thought that distinguishing between a cat and a dog would be almost impossible.

Now, image classification can be done with greater than 99 percent accuracy.

Joseph Redmon works on a project called Darknet, a neural network framework for computer vision models.

Darknet can predict specific breed of animals in images.

Object detection involves identifying all objects in an image, placing bounding boxes, and labeling them.

Initial object detection systems took 20 seconds to process a single image.

Current object detection systems can process images in real time, significantly improving speed.

The YOLO method of object detection allows for simultaneous production of bounding boxes and class probabilities.

Darknet's object detection system can process video in real time.

The system is trained on 80 different classes from Microsoft's COCO dataset.

The technology can be used for various applications, including medicine and robotics.

Darknet is open source and free for anyone to use.

Model optimization and network binarization enable object detection to run on a phone.

The technology has been used for counting animals in Nairobi National Park.

The advancements in object detection have made it accessible and usable for a wide range of applications.

The speaker encourages the audience to use this technology to build innovative solutions.