Sony IMX500 Export for Ultralytics YOLO11

This guide covers exporting and deploying Ultralytics YOLO11 models to Raspberry Pi AI Cameras that feature the Sony IMX500 sensor.

Deploying computer vision models on devices with limited computational power, such as Raspberry Pi AI Camera, can be tricky. Using a model format optimized for faster performance makes a huge difference.

The IMX500 model format is designed to use minimal power while delivering fast performance for neural networks. It allows you to optimize your Ultralytics YOLO11 models for high-speed and low-power inferencing. In this guide, we'll walk you through exporting and deploying your models to the IMX500 format while making it easier for your models to perform well on the Raspberry Pi AI Camera.

Why Should You Export to IMX500

Sony's IMX500 Intelligent Vision Sensor is a game-changing piece of hardware in edge AI processing. It's the world's first intelligent vision sensor with on-chip AI capabilities. This sensor helps overcome many challenges in edge AI, including data processing bottlenecks, privacy concerns, and performance limitations.
While other sensors merely pass along images and frames, the IMX500 tells a whole story. It processes data directly on the sensor, allowing devices to generate insights in real-time.

Sony's IMX500 Export for YOLO11 Models

The IMX500 is designed to transform how devices handle data directly on the sensor, without needing to send it off to the cloud for processing.

The IMX500 works with quantized models. Quantization makes models smaller and faster without losing much accuracy. It is ideal for the limited resources of edge computing, allowing applications to respond quickly by reducing latency and allowing for quick data processing locally, without cloud dependency. Local processing also keeps user data private and secure since it's not sent to a remote server.

IMX500 Key Features:

• Metadata Output: Instead of transmitting images only, the IMX500 can output both image and metadata (inference result), and can output metadata only for minimizing data size, reducing bandwidth, and lowering costs.
• Addresses Privacy Concerns: By processing data on the device, the IMX500 addresses privacy concerns, ideal for human-centric applications like person counting and occupancy tracking.
• Real-time Processing: Fast, on-sensor processing supports real-time decisions, perfect for edge AI applications such as autonomous systems.

Before You Begin: For best results, ensure your YOLO11 model is well-prepared for export by following our Model Training Guide, Data Preparation Guide, and Hyperparameter Tuning Guide.

Supported Tasks

Currently, you can only export models that include the following tasks to IMX500 format.

• Object detection
• Pose estimation

Usage Examples

Export an Ultralytics YOLO11 model to IMX500 format and run inference with the exported model.

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Load a YOLO11n PyTorch model
model = YOLO("yolo11n.pt")

# Export the model
model.export(format="imx", data="coco8.yaml")  # exports with PTQ quantization by default

# Load the exported model
imx_model = YOLO("yolo11n_imx_model")

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

# Export a YOLO11n PyTorch model to imx format with Post-Training Quantization (PTQ)
yolo export model=yolo11n.pt format=imx data=coco8.yaml

# Run inference with the exported model
yolo predict model=yolo11n_imx_model source='https://ultralytics.com/images/bus.jpg'

from ultralytics import YOLO

# Load a YOLO11n-pose PyTorch model
model = YOLO("yolo11n-pose.pt")

# Export the model
model.export(format="imx", data="coco8-pose.yaml")  # exports with PTQ quantization by default

# Load the exported model
imx_model = YOLO("yolo11n-pose_imx_model")

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

# Export a YOLO11n-pose PyTorch model to imx format with Post-Training Quantization (PTQ)
yolo export model=yolo11n-pose.pt format=imx data=coco8-pose.yaml

# Run inference with the exported model
yolo predict model=yolo11n-pose_imx_model source='https://ultralytics.com/images/bus.jpg'

Export Arguments

For more details about the export process, visit the Ultralytics documentation page on exporting.

The export process will create an ONNX model for quantization validation, along with a directory named <model-name>_imx_model. This directory will include the packerOut.zip file, which is essential for packaging the model for deployment on the IMX500 hardware. Additionally, the <model-name>_imx_model folder will contain a text file (labels.txt) listing all the labels associated with the model.

yolo11n_imx_model
├── dnnParams.xml
├── labels.txt
├── packerOut.zip
├── yolo11n_imx.onnx
├── yolo11n_imx500_model_MemoryReport.json
└── yolo11n_imx500_model.pbtxt

yolo11n-pose_imx_model
├── dnnParams.xml
├── labels.txt
├── packerOut.zip
├── yolo11n-pose_imx.onnx
├── yolo11n-pose_imx500_model_MemoryReport.json
└── yolo11n-pose_imx500_model.pbtxt

Using IMX500 Export in Deployment

After exporting Ultralytics YOLO11n model to IMX500 format, it can be deployed to Raspberry Pi AI Camera for inference.

Hardware Prerequisites

Make sure you have the below hardware:

1. Raspberry Pi 5 or Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
2. Raspberry Pi AI Camera

Connect the Raspberry Pi AI camera to the 15-pin MIPI CSI connector on the Raspberry Pi and power on the Raspberry Pi

Software Prerequisites

Step 1: Open a terminal window and execute the following commands to update the Raspberry Pi software to the latest version.

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

Step 2: Install IMX500 firmware which is required to operate the IMX500 sensor.

sudo apt install imx500-all

Step 3: Reboot Raspberry Pi for the changes to take into effect

sudo reboot

Step 4: Install Aitrios Raspberry Pi application module library

pip install git+https://github.com/SonySemiconductorSolutions/aitrios-rpi-application-module-library.git

Step 5: Run YOLO11 object detection and pose estimation by using the below scripts which are available in aitrios-rpi-application-module-library examples.

import numpy as np
from modlib.apps import Annotator
from modlib.devices import AiCamera
from modlib.models import COLOR_FORMAT, MODEL_TYPE, Model
from modlib.models.post_processors import pp_od_yolo_ultralytics


class YOLO(Model):
   """YOLO model for IMX500 deployment."""
    def __init__(self):
       """Initialize the YOLO model for IMX500 deployment."""
        super().__init__(
            model_file="yolo11n_imx_model/packerOut.zip",  # replace with proper directory
            model_type=MODEL_TYPE.CONVERTED,
            color_format=COLOR_FORMAT.RGB,
            preserve_aspect_ratio=False,
        )

        self.labels = np.genfromtxt(
            "yolo11n_imx_model/labels.txt",  # replace with proper directory
            dtype=str,
            delimiter="\n",
        )

    def post_process(self, output_tensors):
       """Post-process the output tensors for object detection."""
        return pp_od_yolo_ultralytics(output_tensors)


device = AiCamera(frame_rate=16)  # Optimal frame rate for maximum DPS of the YOLO model running on the AI Camera
model = YOLO()
device.deploy(model)

annotator = Annotator()

with device as stream:
    for frame in stream:
        detections = frame.detections[frame.detections.confidence > 0.55]
        labels = [f"{model.labels[class_id]}: {score:0.2f}" for _, score, class_id, _ in detections]

        annotator.annotate_boxes(frame, detections, labels=labels, alpha=0.3, corner_radius=10)
        frame.display()

from modlib.apps import Annotator
from modlib.devices import AiCamera
from modlib.models import COLOR_FORMAT, MODEL_TYPE, Model
from modlib.models.post_processors import pp_yolo_pose_ultralytics


class YOLOPose(Model):
   """YOLO pose estimation model for IMX500 deployment."""
    def __init__(self):
       """Initialize the YOLO pose estimation model for IMX500 deployment."""
        super().__init__(
            model_file="yolo11n-pose_imx_model/packerOut.zip",  # replace with proper directory
            model_type=MODEL_TYPE.CONVERTED,
            color_format=COLOR_FORMAT.RGB,
            preserve_aspect_ratio=False,
        )

    def post_process(self, output_tensors):
       """Post-process the output tensors for pose estimation."""
        return pp_yolo_pose_ultralytics(output_tensors)


device = AiCamera(frame_rate=17)  # Optimal frame rate for maximum DPS of the YOLO-pose model running on the AI Camera
model = YOLOPose()
device.deploy(model)

annotator = Annotator()

with device as stream:
    for frame in stream:
        detections = frame.detections[frame.detections.confidence > 0.4]

        annotator.annotate_keypoints(frame, detections)
        annotator.annotate_boxes(frame, detections, corner_length=20)
        frame.display()

Benchmarks

YOLOv8n, YOLO11n, YOLOv8n-pose and YOLO11n-pose benchmarks below were run by the Ultralytics team on Raspberry Pi AI Camera with imx model format measuring speed and accuracy.

What's Under the Hood?

Sony Model Compression Toolkit (MCT)

Sony's Model Compression Toolkit (MCT) is a powerful tool for optimizing deep learning models through quantization and pruning. It supports various quantization methods and provides advanced algorithms to reduce model size and computational complexity without significantly sacrificing accuracy. MCT is particularly useful for deploying models on resource-constrained devices, ensuring efficient inference and reduced latency.

Supported Features of MCT

Sony's MCT offers a range of features designed to optimize neural network models:

1. Graph Optimizations: Transforms models into more efficient versions by folding layers like batch normalization into preceding layers.
2. Quantization Parameter Search: Minimizes quantization noise using metrics like Mean-Square-Error, No-Clipping, and Mean-Average-Error.
3. Advanced Quantization Algorithms:
   • Shift Negative Correction: Addresses performance issues from symmetric activation quantization.
   • Outliers Filtering: Uses z-score to detect and remove outliers.
   • Clustering: Utilizes non-uniform quantization grids for better distribution matching.
   • Mixed-Precision Search: Assigns different quantization bit-widths per layer based on sensitivity.
4. Visualization: Use TensorBoard to observe model performance insights, quantization phases, and bit-width configurations.

Quantization

MCT supports several quantization methods to reduce model size and improve inference speed:

1. Post-Training Quantization (PTQ):
   • Available via Keras and PyTorch APIs.
   • Complexity: Low
   • Computational Cost: Low (CPU minutes)
2. Gradient-based Post-Training Quantization (GPTQ):
   • Available via Keras and PyTorch APIs.
   • Complexity: Medium
   • Computational Cost: Moderate (2-3 GPU hours)
3. Quantization-Aware Training (QAT):
   • Complexity: High
   • Computational Cost: High (12-36 GPU hours)

MCT also supports various quantization schemes for weights and activations:

1. Power-of-Two (hardware-friendly)
2. Symmetric
3. Uniform

Structured Pruning

MCT introduces structured, hardware-aware model pruning designed for specific hardware architectures. This technique leverages the target platform's Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) capabilities by pruning SIMD groups. This reduces model size and complexity while optimizing channel utilization, aligned with the SIMD architecture for targeted resource utilization of weights memory footprint. Available via Keras and PyTorch APIs.

IMX500 Converter Tool (Compiler)

The IMX500 Converter Tool is integral to the IMX500 toolset, allowing the compilation of models for deployment on Sony's IMX500 sensor (for instance, Raspberry Pi AI Cameras). This tool facilitates the transition of Ultralytics YOLO11 models processed through Ultralytics software, ensuring they are compatible and perform efficiently on the specified hardware. The export procedure following model quantization involves the generation of binary files that encapsulate essential data and device-specific configurations, streamlining the deployment process on the Raspberry Pi AI Camera.

Real-World Use Cases

Export to IMX500 format has wide applicability across industries. Here are some examples:

• Edge AI and IoT: Enable object detection on drones or security cameras, where real-time processing on low-power devices is essential.
• Wearable Devices: Deploy models optimized for small-scale AI processing on health-monitoring wearables.
• Smart Cities: Use IMX500-exported YOLO11 models for traffic monitoring and safety analysis with faster processing and minimal latency.
• Retail Analytics: Enhance in-store monitoring by deploying optimized models in point-of-sale systems or smart shelves.

Conclusion

Exporting Ultralytics YOLO11 models to Sony's IMX500 format allows you to deploy your models for efficient inference on IMX500-based cameras. By leveraging advanced quantization techniques, you can reduce model size and improve inference speed without significantly compromising accuracy.

For more information and detailed guidelines, refer to Sony's IMX500 website.

FAQ

How do I export a YOLO11 model to IMX500 format for Raspberry Pi AI Camera?

To export a YOLO11 model to IMX500 format, use either the Python API or CLI command:

from ultralytics import YOLO

model = YOLO("yolo11n.pt")
model.export(format="imx")  # Exports with PTQ quantization by default

The export process will create a directory containing the necessary files for deployment, including packerOut.zip.

What are the key benefits of using the IMX500 format for edge AI deployment?

The IMX500 format offers several important advantages for edge deployment:

• On-chip AI processing reduces latency and power consumption
• Outputs both image and metadata (inference result) instead of images only
• Enhanced privacy by processing data locally without cloud dependency
• Real-time processing capabilities ideal for time-sensitive applications
• Optimized quantization for efficient model deployment on resource-constrained devices

What hardware and software prerequisites are needed for IMX500 deployment?

For deploying IMX500 models, you'll need:

Hardware:

• Raspberry Pi 5 or Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
• Raspberry Pi AI Camera with IMX500 sensor

Software:

• Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm
• IMX500 firmware and tools (sudo apt install imx500-all)

What performance can I expect from YOLO11 models on the IMX500?

Based on Ultralytics benchmarks on Raspberry Pi AI Camera:

• YOLO11n achieves 62.50ms inference time per image
• mAP50-95 of 0.492 on COCO128 dataset
• Model size of only 3.2MB after quantization

This demonstrates that IMX500 format provides efficient real-time inference while maintaining good accuracy for edge AI applications.

📅 Created 8 months ago ✏️ Updated 2 days ago

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