New Release: Ultralytics v8.3.172

:rocket: Ultralytics v8.3.172 Release Announcement

:glowing_star: Summary

We’re excited to announce the release of Ultralytics v8.3.172! This update focuses on making your experience with Ultralytics tools even smoother by streamlining file downloads, reducing dependencies, and keeping our documentation fresh. Whether you’re new to the platform or a regular contributor, these changes help keep things simple and user-friendly.


:new_button: What’s New

Key Features & Improvements

  • Lighter File Downloads

    • We’ve replaced the previous PyTorch-based file download mechanism with a standard Python approach—no more extra PyTorch dependency if you just want to download files!
    • See the implementation by @glenn-jocher in PR #21563.
  • Unified Download Progress Reporting

    • Progress bars for downloads are now consistent and reliable, powered by a single TQDM instance—regardless of how you install or run Ultralytics.
    • Also released in PR #21563.
  • Updated Documentation

    • We clarified OBB documentation in simple-utilities.md thanks to a contribution from @mgcrea.
    • See the details in PR #21555.
    • Documentation for the Annotator class is now up to date, making it easier for you to get started without confusion.

Other Updates

  • Version incremented to 8.3.172.
  • New contributors formally credited—welcome to the team!

:hammer_and_wrench: Purpose & Impact

  • Reduced Dependencies: By removing the PyTorch requirement for downloads, the codebase is lighter and easier to maintain.
  • Better User Experience: A consistent, clear download process helps users get set up quickly—even if you don’t use PyTorch.
  • Clear Documentation: Accurate docs mean fewer headaches and a better learning experience.
  • Supportive Community: Giving credit to our contributors upholds our commitment to open collaboration.

:lady_beetle: Bug Fixes

  • Documentation Corrections: OBB utility documentation is now correct and up-to-date. (PR #21555)

:loudspeaker: How to Get It

Get started with the latest version by updating Ultralytics via pip:

pip install --upgrade ultralytics

Full Changelog:
Compare v8.3.171…v8.3.172 on GitHub
Release Page for v8.3.172


:raising_hands: Get Involved

We encourage you to try out Ultralytics v8.3.172 and let us know what you think! Your feedback helps us stay on track and deliver the best experience possible. Join the discussion, file issues, or contribute directly to our GitHub repository.

Thank you to everyone in the YOLO community and the Ultralytics team who made this release possible. Your collaboration keeps the project moving forward!

Happy experimenting!
— The Ultralytics Team