Advancing Object Detection: A Narrative Review of Evolving Techniques and Their Navigation Applications

Object detection plays a pivotal role in advancing computer vision systems by enabling machines to perceive and interact intelligently with their environments. Despite significant advancements, comprehensive exploration of its evolution and applications in navigation remains underrepresented. This review paper examines the evolution of object detection technologies, from early methodologies to contemporary advancements, and their critical role in navigation tasks. The emphasis was on the significance of contextual learning in enhancing object detection performance by leveraging spatial and temporal information. Furthermore, the limitations of conventional approaches that rely heavily on hand-engineered features are examined. It is then demonstrated that contextual learning facilitates automated feature extraction, resulting in improved accuracy exceeding a 50% increase and adaptability in diverse applications. The review concludes by outlining future trends and opportunities for further advancements in object detection and, underscoring its transformative impact on autonomous navigation and beyond. In summary, this review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of object detection technologies by offering insights into their evolution, highlighting their applications in navigation, and providing guidance for future research in context-aware systems.