Event-Based Spiking Neural Networks for Object Detection: A Review of Datasets, Architectures, Learning Rules, and Implementation
Craig Iaboni, Pramod Abichandani
Abstract
Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) represent a biologically inspired paradigm offering an energy-efficient alternative to conventional artificial neural networks (ANNs) for Computer Vision (CV) applications. This paper presents a systematic review of datasets, architectures, learning methods, implementation techniques, and evaluation methodologies used in CV-based object detection tasks using SNNs. Based on an analysis of 151 journal and conference articles, the review codifies: 1) the effectiveness of fully connected, convolutional, and recurrent architectures; 2) the performance of direct unsupervised, direct supervised, and indirect learning methods; and 3) the trade-offs in energy consumption, latency, and memory in neuromorphic hardware implementations. An open-source repository along with detailed examples of Python code and resources for building SNN models, event-based data processing, and SNN simulations are provided. Key challenges in SNN training, hardware integration, and future directions for CV applications are also identified.