Ultralytics YOLO11 Modes
Introduction
Ultralytics YOLO11 is not just another object detection model; it's a versatile framework designed to cover the entire lifecycle of machine learning models—from data ingestion and model training to validation, deployment, and real-world tracking. Each mode serves a specific purpose and is engineered to offer you the flexibility and efficiency required for different tasks and use-cases.
Watch: Ultralytics Modes Tutorial: Train, Validate, Predict, Export & Benchmark.
Modes at a Glance
Understanding the different modes that Ultralytics YOLO11 supports is critical to getting the most out of your models:
- Train mode: Fine-tune your model on custom or preloaded datasets.
- Val mode: A post-training checkpoint to validate model performance.
- Predict mode: Unleash the predictive power of your model on real-world data.
- Export mode: Make your model deployment-ready in various formats.
- Track mode: Extend your object detection model into real-time tracking applications.
- Benchmark mode: Analyze the speed and accuracy of your model in diverse deployment environments.
This comprehensive guide aims to give you an overview and practical insights into each mode, helping you harness the full potential of YOLO11.
Train
Train mode is used for training a YOLO11 model on a custom dataset. In this mode, the model is trained using the specified dataset and hyperparameters. The training process involves optimizing the model's parameters so that it can accurately predict the classes and locations of objects in an image. Training is essential for creating models that can recognize specific objects relevant to your application.
Val
Val mode is used for validating a YOLO11 model after it has been trained. In this mode, the model is evaluated on a validation set to measure its accuracy and generalization performance. Validation helps identify potential issues like overfitting and provides metrics such as mean Average Precision (mAP) to quantify model performance. This mode is crucial for tuning hyperparameters and improving overall model effectiveness.
Predict
Predict mode is used for making predictions using a trained YOLO11 model on new images or videos. In this mode, the model is loaded from a checkpoint file, and the user can provide images or videos to perform inference. The model identifies and localizes objects in the input media, making it ready for real-world applications. Predict mode is the gateway to applying your trained model to solve practical problems.
Export
Export mode is used for converting a YOLO11 model to formats suitable for deployment across different platforms and devices. This mode transforms your PyTorch model into optimized formats like ONNX, TensorRT, or CoreML, enabling deployment in production environments. Exporting is essential for integrating your model with various software applications or hardware devices, often resulting in significant performance improvements.
Track
Track mode extends YOLO11's object detection capabilities to track objects across video frames or live streams. This mode is particularly valuable for applications requiring persistent object identification, such as surveillance systems or self-driving cars. Track mode implements sophisticated algorithms like ByteTrack to maintain object identity across frames, even when objects temporarily disappear from view.
Benchmark
Benchmark mode profiles the speed and accuracy of various export formats for YOLO11. This mode provides comprehensive metrics on model size, accuracy (mAP50-95 for detection tasks or accuracy_top5 for classification), and inference time across different formats like ONNX, OpenVINO, and TensorRT. Benchmarking helps you select the optimal export format based on your specific requirements for speed and accuracy in your deployment environment.
FAQ
How do I train a custom object detection model with Ultralytics YOLO11?
Training a custom object detection model with Ultralytics YOLO11 involves using the train mode. You need a dataset formatted in YOLO format, containing images and corresponding annotation files. Use the following command to start the training process:
Example
For more detailed instructions, you can refer to the Ultralytics Train Guide.
What metrics does Ultralytics YOLO11 use to validate the model's performance?
Ultralytics YOLO11 uses various metrics during the validation process to assess model performance. These include:
- mAP (mean Average Precision): This evaluates the accuracy of object detection.
- IOU (Intersection over Union): Measures the overlap between predicted and ground truth bounding boxes.
- Precision and Recall: Precision measures the ratio of true positive detections to the total detected positives, while recall measures the ratio of true positive detections to the total actual positives.
You can run the following command to start the validation:
Example
Refer to the Validation Guide for further details.
How can I export my YOLO11 model for deployment?
Ultralytics YOLO11 offers export functionality to convert your trained model into various deployment formats such as ONNX, TensorRT, CoreML, and more. Use the following example to export your model:
Example
Detailed steps for each export format can be found in the Export Guide.
What is the purpose of the benchmark mode in Ultralytics YOLO11?
Benchmark mode in Ultralytics YOLO11 is used to analyze the speed and accuracy of various export formats such as ONNX, TensorRT, and OpenVINO. It provides metrics like model size, mAP50-95
for object detection, and inference time across different hardware setups, helping you choose the most suitable format for your deployment needs.
Example
For more details, refer to the Benchmark Guide.
How can I perform real-time object tracking using Ultralytics YOLO11?
Real-time object tracking can be achieved using the track mode in Ultralytics YOLO11. This mode extends object detection capabilities to track objects across video frames or live feeds. Use the following example to enable tracking:
Example
For in-depth instructions, visit the Track Guide.