Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI

This study evaluates the performance of You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8) and a SAM-based unified and robust zero-shot visual tracker with motion-aware instance-level memory (SAMURAI) for worker detection in masonry construction environments under varying occlusion conditions. Computer vision-ba...

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Main Authors: Seonjun Yoon, Hyunsoo Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3991
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author Seonjun Yoon
Hyunsoo Kim
author_facet Seonjun Yoon
Hyunsoo Kim
author_sort Seonjun Yoon
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluates the performance of You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8) and a SAM-based unified and robust zero-shot visual tracker with motion-aware instance-level memory (SAMURAI) for worker detection in masonry construction environments under varying occlusion conditions. Computer vision-based monitoring systems are widely used in construction, but traditional object detection models struggle with occlusion, limiting their effectiveness in real-world applications. The research employed a structured experimental framework to assess both models in brick transportation and brick laying tasks across three occlusion levels: non-occlusion, partial occlusion, and severe occlusion. Results demonstrate that while YOLOv8 processes frames 2.5 to 3.5 times faster (28–32 FPS versus 9–12 FPS), SAMURAI maintains significantly higher detection accuracy, particularly under severe occlusion conditions (92.67% versus 52.67%). YOLOv8’s frame-by-frame processing results in substantial performance degradation as occlusion severity increases, whereas SAMURAI’s memory-based tracking mechanism enables persistent worker identification across frames. This comparative analysis provides valuable insights for selecting appropriate monitoring technologies based on specific construction site requirements. YOLOv8 is suitable for construction environments characterized by minimal occlusions and a high demand for real-time detection, whereas SAMURAI is more applicable to scenarios with frequent and severe occlusions that require the sustained tracking of worker activity. The selection of an appropriate model should be based on an initial assessment of environmental factors such as layout complexity, object density, and expected occlusion frequency. The findings contribute to the advancement of more reliable vision-based monitoring systems for enhancing productivity assessment and safety management in dynamic construction settings.
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spelling doaj-art-e826eb1788e141fba9ab09c0086122a82025-08-20T03:08:44ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01157399110.3390/app15073991Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAISeonjun Yoon0Hyunsoo Kim1Department of Architectural Engineering, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si 16890, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architectural Engineering, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si 16890, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaThis study evaluates the performance of You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8) and a SAM-based unified and robust zero-shot visual tracker with motion-aware instance-level memory (SAMURAI) for worker detection in masonry construction environments under varying occlusion conditions. Computer vision-based monitoring systems are widely used in construction, but traditional object detection models struggle with occlusion, limiting their effectiveness in real-world applications. The research employed a structured experimental framework to assess both models in brick transportation and brick laying tasks across three occlusion levels: non-occlusion, partial occlusion, and severe occlusion. Results demonstrate that while YOLOv8 processes frames 2.5 to 3.5 times faster (28–32 FPS versus 9–12 FPS), SAMURAI maintains significantly higher detection accuracy, particularly under severe occlusion conditions (92.67% versus 52.67%). YOLOv8’s frame-by-frame processing results in substantial performance degradation as occlusion severity increases, whereas SAMURAI’s memory-based tracking mechanism enables persistent worker identification across frames. This comparative analysis provides valuable insights for selecting appropriate monitoring technologies based on specific construction site requirements. YOLOv8 is suitable for construction environments characterized by minimal occlusions and a high demand for real-time detection, whereas SAMURAI is more applicable to scenarios with frequent and severe occlusions that require the sustained tracking of worker activity. The selection of an appropriate model should be based on an initial assessment of environmental factors such as layout complexity, object density, and expected occlusion frequency. The findings contribute to the advancement of more reliable vision-based monitoring systems for enhancing productivity assessment and safety management in dynamic construction settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3991masonry workmonitoringYOLOv8 computer vision modelSAMURAI computer vision model
spellingShingle Seonjun Yoon
Hyunsoo Kim
Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI
Applied Sciences
masonry work
monitoring
YOLOv8 computer vision model
SAMURAI computer vision model
title Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI
title_full Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI
title_fullStr Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI
title_full_unstemmed Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI
title_short Occlusion-Aware Worker Detection in Masonry Work: Performance Evaluation of YOLOv8 and SAMURAI
title_sort occlusion aware worker detection in masonry work performance evaluation of yolov8 and samurai
topic masonry work
monitoring
YOLOv8 computer vision model
SAMURAI computer vision model
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3991
work_keys_str_mv AT seonjunyoon occlusionawareworkerdetectioninmasonryworkperformanceevaluationofyolov8andsamurai
AT hyunsookim occlusionawareworkerdetectioninmasonryworkperformanceevaluationofyolov8andsamurai