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A review of YOLO algorithm and its applications in autonomous driving object detection


Citation

Wei, Jiapei and As'arry, Azizan and Md Rezali, Khairil Anas and Mohamed Yusoff, Mohd Zuhri and Ma, Haohao and Zhang, Kunlun (2025) A review of YOLO algorithm and its applications in autonomous driving object detection. IEEE Access, 13. pp. 93688-93711. ISSN 2169-3536

Abstract

Object detection in autonomous driving scenarios represents a significant research direction within artificial intelligence. Real-time and accurate object detection and recognition are crucial in ensuring autonomous vehicles’ safe and stable operation. In recent years, the continuous introduction of the YOLO series of algorithms and their enhanced models has led to remarkable performance in autonomous driving object detection. From YOLOv1 to YOLOv12, detection accuracy has improved significantly, with mAP increasing from approximately 63.4% to over 80% and inference speed exceeding 100 FPS in lightweight versions such as YOLOv8n and YOLOv10. This paper reviews the YOLO algorithm and its application in object detection in autonomous driving scenarios. Firstly, the development and distinctions among the YOLO series of detection algorithms are explained, and their performance is analyzed. Secondly, the strategies for improving YOLO-based models across the input, feature extraction, and prediction stages are summarized. Thirdly, the research status and application of the YOLO algorithm in autonomous driving object detection are elaborated upon from the perspectives of traffic vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signs, traffic lights, and lane lines, with comparisons and analyses of performance metrics such as accuracy and real-time performance. Finally, considering the current challenges in autonomous driving object detection, the development trajectory and prospects of the YOLO algorithm are summarized and discussed.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Computer Science (all)
Subject: Materials Science (all)
Subject: Engineering (all)
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering
Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2025.3573376
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Keywords: Applications; Autonomous driving; Object detection; YOLO algorithm
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Depositing User: Ms. Nur Faseha Mohd Kadim
Date Deposited: 24 Apr 2026 02:14
Last Modified: 24 Apr 2026 02:14
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.1109/access.2025.3573376
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/124850
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