Hybrid object detection and distance measurement for precision agriculture: integrating YOLOv8 with rice field sidewalk detection algorithm

Abstract

This study aims to propose a new approach to semantic segmentation of sidewalk images in rice fields using the YOLOv8 algorithm, with the objective of enhancing agricultural monitoring and analysis. The experimental process involved preparing the development environment, extracting data from JSON, and training the model using YOLOv8. Evaluation reveals consistent and accurate sidewalk detection with a confidence score of 0.9-1.0 across various environmental conditions. Confusion matrix and precision-recall analysis confirmed the robustness and accuracy of the model. These findings validate the effectiveness of the approach in detecting and measuring sidewalks with high precision, potentially improving agricultural monitoring. The novelty of this study lies in the utilization of the RIFIS-D algorithm as an integral part of a hybrid approach with YOLOv8. This hybridization enriches the model with additional capability to detect the distance between the sidewalk and the tractor, addressing specific needs in agricultural applications. This contribution is significant in the advancement of automatic navigation and monitoring technology in agriculture, enabling the implementation of more sophisticated and efficient systems in field operations.