ultralytics 8.3.161

v8.3.161 - `ultralytics 8.3.161` Eliminate `../datasets/` in data yaml files for better `datasets_dir` compatibility (#21091)

on Python PyPI

🌟 Summary

This release focuses on making dataset paths simpler and more consistent across Ultralytics, improving documentation, and enhancing compatibility for various platforms and users. 🗂️✨

📊 Key Changes

• Dataset Path Simplification: All dataset YAML files, documentation, and code examples now use direct folder names (like coco) instead of legacy relative paths (like ../datasets/coco).
• Documentation & Example Updates: All guides, tutorials, and code snippets have been updated to reflect the new, cleaner dataset path format for detection, segmentation, pose, and OBB tasks.
• Improved PaddlePaddle Support: PaddlePaddle dependencies are now pinned for ARM64 devices, ensuring smoother installation and compatibility, especially on platforms like Raspberry Pi.
• Deprecation Warning for Examples: Added a clear notice that community-contributed examples will be retired in Ultralytics v8.4.0, encouraging users to rely on official documentation.
• Sony IMX500 Benchmark Corrections: Updated and clarified benchmark results and dataset naming for YOLO11n and YOLOv8n on Sony IMX500 devices.
• Performance & Reliability Fixes:
  • Improved label file writing for the VisDrone dataset, making annotation conversion faster and more reliable.
  • Corrected expected label counts for specific datasets to improve verification accuracy.
• API & Documentation Enhancements:
  • Improved type annotations and documentation for result export and summary methods, making the API clearer for developers.
  • Refactored VisualAISearch for simpler structure and more consistent logging.

🎯 Purpose & Impact

• Easier Dataset Management: Users can now specify datasets more intuitively, reducing confusion and setup errors, especially when using custom datasets_dir locations.
• Better Cross-Platform Support: ARM64 users (e.g., Raspberry Pi) will experience fewer installation issues with PaddlePaddle, broadening hardware compatibility.
• Clearer Guidance: Updated documentation and deprecation warnings help users find the most reliable, up-to-date resources, improving onboarding and reducing maintenance overhead.
• Improved Reliability: Fixes to dataset verification and annotation conversion mean fewer errors and smoother training experiences.
• Developer Friendliness: Enhanced type hints and API docs make it easier for developers to build on and integrate with Ultralytics tools.

This update is all about making Ultralytics easier to use, more robust, and ready for a wider range of users and devices! 🚀

What's Changed

• Fix the expected count for final_mixed_train_no_coco_segm in GroundingDataset by @ImJaewooChoi in #21215
• Add deprecation warning to ultralytics/examples by @Y-T-G in #21208
• Fix: Move YOLO label file writing outside annotation loop in visdrone2yolo function by @banu4prasad in #21226
• Update Sony IMX Doc with COCO128 Benchmarks by @lakshanthad in #21227
• Fix COCO128 capitalization in Sony IMX Doc by @lakshanthad in #21229
• Pin paddlepaddle==3.0.0 for ARM64 by @Laughing-q in #21238
• Add summary method in val.md by @RizwanMunawar in #21236
• Remove BaseSolution inheritance in VisualAISearch by @RizwanMunawar in #21240
• ultralytics 8.3.161 Eliminate ../datasets/ in data yaml files for better datasets_dir compatibility by @Laughing-q in #21091

New Contributors

• @ImJaewooChoi made their first contribution in #21215

Full Changelog: v8.3.160...v8.3.161