Quick Start Guide: Raspberry Pi with Ultralytics YOLOv8

This comprehensive guide provides a detailed walkthrough for deploying Ultralytics YOLOv8 on Raspberry Pi devices. Additionally, it showcases performance benchmarks to demonstrate the capabilities of YOLOv8 on these small and powerful devices.

Watch: Raspberry Pi 5 updates and improvements.

What is Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable, single-board computer. It has become popular for a wide range of projects and applications, from hobbyist home automation to industrial uses. Raspberry Pi boards are capable of running a variety of operating systems, and they offer GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins that allow for easy integration with sensors, actuators, and other hardware components. They come in different models with varying specifications, but they all share the same basic design philosophy of being low-cost, compact, and versatile.

Raspberry Pi Series Comparison

What is Raspberry Pi OS?

Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian) is a Unix-like operating system based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution for the Raspberry Pi family of compact single-board computers distributed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Raspberry Pi OS is highly optimized for the Raspberry Pi with ARM CPUs and uses a modified LXDE desktop environment with the Openbox stacking window manager. Raspberry Pi OS is under active development, with an emphasis on improving the stability and performance of as many Debian packages as possible on Raspberry Pi.

Flash Raspberry Pi OS to Raspberry Pi

The first thing to do after getting your hands on a Raspberry Pi is to flash a micro-SD card with Raspberry Pi OS, insert into the device and boot into the OS. Follow along with detailed Getting Started Documentation by Raspberry Pi to prepare your device for first use.

Set Up Ultralytics

There are two ways of setting up Ultralytics package on Raspberry Pi to build your next Computer Vision project. You can use either of them.

• Start with Docker
• Start without Docker

Start with Docker

The fastest way to get started with Ultralytics YOLOv8 on Raspberry Pi is to run with pre-built docker image for Raspberry Pi.

Execute the below command to pull the Docker container and run on Raspberry Pi. This is based on arm64v8/debian docker image which contains Debian 12 (Bookworm) in a Python3 environment.

t=ultralytics/ultralytics:latest-arm64 && sudo docker pull $t && sudo docker run -it --ipc=host $t

After this is done, skip to Use NCNN on Raspberry Pi section.

Start without Docker

Install Ultralytics Package

Here we will install Ultralytics package on the Raspberry Pi with optional dependencies so that we can export the PyTorch models to other different formats.

1. Update packages list, install pip and upgrade to latest

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3-pip -y
   pip install -U pip
   

2. Install ultralytics pip package with optional dependencies

   pip install ultralytics[export]
   

3. Reboot the device

   sudo reboot
   

Use NCNN on Raspberry Pi

Out of all the model export formats supported by Ultralytics, NCNN delivers the best inference performance when working with Raspberry Pi devices because NCNN is highly optimized for mobile/ embedded platforms (such as ARM architecture). Therefor our recommendation is to use NCNN with Raspberry Pi.

Convert Model to NCNN and Run Inference

The YOLOv8n model in PyTorch format is converted to NCNN to run inference with the exported model.

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Load a YOLOv8n PyTorch model
model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")

# Export the model to NCNN format
model.export(format="ncnn")  # creates 'yolov8n_ncnn_model'

# Load the exported NCNN model
ncnn_model = YOLO("yolov8n_ncnn_model")

# Run inference
results = ncnn_model("https://ultralytics.com/images/bus.jpg")

# Export a YOLOv8n PyTorch model to NCNN format
yolo export model=yolov8n.pt format=ncnn  # creates 'yolov8n_ncnn_model'

# Run inference with the exported model
yolo predict model='yolov8n_ncnn_model' source='https://ultralytics.com/images/bus.jpg'

Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4 YOLOv8 Benchmarks

YOLOv8 benchmarks were run by the Ultralytics team on nine different model formats measuring speed and accuracy: PyTorch, TorchScript, ONNX, OpenVINO, TF SavedModel, TF GraphDef, TF Lite, PaddlePaddle, NCNN. Benchmarks were run on both Raspberry Pi 5 and Raspberry Pi 4 at FP32 precision with default input image size of 640.

Comparison Chart

Performance

YOLOv8nYOLOv8s

Detailed Comparison Table

The below table represents the benchmark results for two different models (YOLOv8n, YOLOv8s) across nine different formats (PyTorch, TorchScript, ONNX, OpenVINO, TF SavedModel, TF GraphDef, TF Lite, PaddlePaddle, NCNN), running on both Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5, giving us the status, size, mAP50-95(B) metric, and inference time for each combination.

Reproduce Our Results

To reproduce the above Ultralytics benchmarks on all export formats, run this code:

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Load a YOLOv8n PyTorch model
model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")

# Benchmark YOLOv8n speed and accuracy on the COCO8 dataset for all all export formats
results = model.benchmarks(data="coco8.yaml", imgsz=640)

# Benchmark YOLOv8n speed and accuracy on the COCO8 dataset for all all export formats
yolo benchmark model=yolov8n.pt data=coco8.yaml imgsz=640

Use Raspberry Pi Camera

When using Raspberry Pi for Computer Vision projects, it can be essentially to grab real-time video feeds to perform inference. The onboard MIPI CSI connector on the Raspberry Pi allows you to connect official Raspberry PI camera modules. In this guide, we have used a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 to grab the video feeds and perform inference using YOLOv8 models.

Test the Camera

Execute the following command after connecting the camera to the Raspberry Pi. You should see a live video feed from the camera for about 5 seconds.

rpicam-hello

Inference with Camera

There are 2 methods of using the Raspberry Pi Camera to inference YOLOv8 models.

import cv2
from picamera2 import Picamera2

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Initialize the Picamera2
picam2 = Picamera2()
picam2.preview_configuration.main.size = (1280, 720)
picam2.preview_configuration.main.format = "RGB888"
picam2.preview_configuration.align()
picam2.configure("preview")
picam2.start()

# Load the YOLOv8 model
model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")

while True:
    # Capture frame-by-frame
    frame = picam2.capture_array()

    # Run YOLOv8 inference on the frame
    results = model(frame)

    # Visualize the results on the frame
    annotated_frame = results[0].plot()

    # Display the resulting frame
    cv2.imshow("Camera", annotated_frame)

    # Break the loop if 'q' is pressed
    if cv2.waitKey(1) == ord("q"):
        break

# Release resources and close windows
cv2.destroyAllWindows()

rpicam-vid -n -t 0 --inline --listen -o tcp://127.0.0.1:8888

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Load a YOLOv8n PyTorch model
model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")

# Run inference
results = model("tcp://127.0.0.1:8888")

yolo predict model=yolov8n.pt source="tcp://127.0.0.1:8888"

Best Practices when using Raspberry Pi

There are a couple of best practices to follow in order to enable maximum performance on Raspberry Pis running YOLOv8.

1. Use an SSD

   When using Raspberry Pi for 24x7 continued usage, it is recommended to use an SSD for the system because an SD card will not be able to withstand continuous writes and might get broken. With the onboard PCIe connector on the Raspberry Pi 5, now you can connect SSDs using an adapter such as the NVMe Base for Raspberry Pi 5.

2. Flash without GUI

   When flashing Raspberry Pi OS, you can choose to not install the Desktop environment (Raspberry Pi OS Lite) and this can save a bit of RAM on the device, leaving more space for computer vision processing.

Next Steps

Congratulations on successfully setting up YOLO on your Raspberry Pi! For further learning and support, visit Ultralytics YOLOv8 Docs and Kashmir World Foundation.

Acknowledgements and Citations

This guide was initially created by Daan Eeltink for Kashmir World Foundation, an organization dedicated to the use of YOLO for the conservation of endangered species. We acknowledge their pioneering work and educational focus in the realm of object detection technologies.

For more information about Kashmir World Foundation's activities, you can visit their website.

FAQ

How do I set up Ultralytics YOLOv8 on a Raspberry Pi without using Docker?

To set up Ultralytics YOLOv8 on a Raspberry Pi without Docker, follow these steps:

1. Update the package list and install pip:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3-pip -y
   pip install -U pip
   

2. Install the Ultralytics package with optional dependencies:

   pip install ultralytics[export]
   

3. Reboot the device to apply changes:

   sudo reboot
   

For detailed instructions, refer to the Start without Docker section.

Why should I use Ultralytics YOLOv8's NCNN format on Raspberry Pi for AI tasks?

Ultralytics YOLOv8's NCNN format is highly optimized for mobile and embedded platforms, making it ideal for running AI tasks on Raspberry Pi devices. NCNN maximizes inference performance by leveraging ARM architecture, providing faster and more efficient processing compared to other formats. For more details on supported export options, visit the Ultralytics documentation page on deployment options.

How can I convert a YOLOv8 model to NCNN format for use on Raspberry Pi?

You can convert a PyTorch YOLOv8 model to NCNN format using either Python or CLI commands:

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Load a YOLOv8n PyTorch model
model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")

# Export the model to NCNN format
model.export(format="ncnn")  # creates 'yolov8n_ncnn_model'

# Load the exported NCNN model
ncnn_model = YOLO("yolov8n_ncnn_model")

# Run inference
results = ncnn_model("https://ultralytics.com/images/bus.jpg")

# Export a YOLOv8n PyTorch model to NCNN format
yolo export model=yolov8n.pt format=ncnn  # creates 'yolov8n_ncnn_model'

# Run inference with the exported model
yolo predict model='yolov8n_ncnn_model' source='https://ultralytics.com/images/bus.jpg'

For more details, see the Use NCNN on Raspberry Pi section.

What are the hardware differences between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 relevant to running YOLOv8?

Key differences include:

• CPU: Raspberry Pi 4 uses Broadcom BCM2711, Cortex-A72 64-bit SoC, while Raspberry Pi 5 uses Broadcom BCM2712, Cortex-A76 64-bit SoC.
• Max CPU Frequency: Raspberry Pi 4 has a max frequency of 1.8GHz, whereas Raspberry Pi 5 reaches 2.4GHz.
• Memory: Raspberry Pi 4 offers up to 8GB of LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM, while Raspberry Pi 5 features LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM, available in 4GB and 8GB variants.

These enhancements contribute to better performance benchmarks for YOLOv8 models on Raspberry Pi 5 compared to Raspberry Pi 4. Refer to the Raspberry Pi Series Comparison table for more details.

How can I set up a Raspberry Pi Camera Module to work with Ultralytics YOLOv8?

There are two methods to set up a Raspberry Pi Camera for YOLOv8 inference:

1. Using picamera2:

   import cv2
   from picamera2 import Picamera2
   
   from ultralytics import YOLO
   
   picam2 = Picamera2()
   picam2.preview_configuration.main.size = (1280, 720)
   picam2.preview_configuration.main.format = "RGB888"
   picam2.preview_configuration.align()
   picam2.configure("preview")
   picam2.start()
   
   model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")
   
   while True:
       frame = picam2.capture_array()
       results = model(frame)
       annotated_frame = results[0].plot()
       cv2.imshow("Camera", annotated_frame)
   
       if cv2.waitKey(1) == ord("q"):
           break
   
   cv2.destroyAllWindows()
   

2. Using a TCP Stream:

   rpicam-vid -n -t 0 --inline --listen -o tcp://127.0.0.1:8888
   

   from ultralytics import YOLO
   
   model = YOLO("yolov8n.pt")
   results = model("tcp://127.0.0.1:8888")
   

For detailed setup instructions, visit the Inference with Camera section.

Comments