Research Paper:
Research on Lead Stripping Area Detection Method and Application Based on YOLOv7
Jinglong Liu*, Yonghua Xiong*,
, Zhengfa Zhang*, and Jinhua She*,**

*School of Automation, China University of Geosciences
No.388 Lumo Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
Corresponding author
**School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Technology
1404-1 Katakuramachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan
To automate the wiring process for distribution network live-line operation robots, it is essential for visual sensors to accurately detect and locate the stripped areas of wires. However, due to the complex layout of power transmission lines and the varying outdoor lighting conditions, accurately identifying the stripped regions remains challenging. In this paper, we first construct a dataset of stripped wire areas and perform data augmentation to address the issue of limited samples. Subsequently, we apply a Transformer-based adaptive image enhancement model for image preprocessing, aiming to improve visual quality. Experimental results show that this model can enhance or correct lighting in a short time while preserving the primary color characteristics. Based on this, we design a stripped wire region detection model using an improved YOLOv7 algorithm, achieving high-precision, real-time detection in complex backgrounds. Tests with real-world data demonstrate an average detection accuracy exceeding 92%, effectively addressing the need for precise wire detection and localization during automated wiring in distribution networks, thereby advancing the development of smart grids.
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