How to train YOLOv3 on Google COLAB to detect custom objects (e.g: Gun detection)

Step-by-step instruction for training YOLOv3 on Goole Colab.

Figure 1: Gun detection with YOLOv3

Gun detection with YOLOv3 after 900 training epochs

Update:

• I have wrote a new article on how to train YOLOv4 on Google Colab, in which it requires much fewer steps to set up your training. If you are looking for a faster, more efficient way to train your YOLO detector, you can refer this article: YOLOv4 on Google Colab: Train your Custom Dataset (Traffic signs) with ease

Outline:

I. Introduction
II. Dataset preparation
III. Set up darknet
IV. Modify configuration files
V. Split train/validation dataset
VI. Set up COLAB environment
VII. Training on COLAB
VIII. Predict with YOLOv3 using OpenCV

I. Introduction

It can be said that You only look once (YOLO) has became very familiar with researchers and developer working in on Computer Vision, especially Object Detection…