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Aeon Time Series Machine Learning

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Aeon Time Series Machine Learning

Overview

Aeon is a scikit-learn compatible Python toolkit for time series machine learning (aeon-toolkit.org). It provides algorithms across classification, regression, clustering, forecasting, anomaly detection, segmentation, similarity search, distances, transformations, benchmarking, and visualization — with a consistent estimator API.

Version note: Examples target aeon 1.x (stable docs: v1.4.0, March 2026). The v1.0 release reworked forecasting and transformations; import paths differ from aeon 0.x/sktime-era code.

When to Use This Skill

Apply this skill when:

  • Classifying or predicting from time series data
  • Detecting anomalies or change points in temporal sequences
  • Clustering similar time series patterns
  • Forecasting future values
  • Finding repeated patterns (motifs) or unusual subsequences (discords)
  • Comparing time series with specialized distance metrics
  • Extracting features from temporal data

Installation

Requires Python 3.10+ (3.11+ recommended). Pin a 1.x release for reproducibility:

bash
uv pip install "aeon>=1.4,<2"

For deep learning forecasters/classifiers and other optional estimators:

bash
uv pip install "aeon[all_extras]>=1.4,<2"

On zsh, quote the extras: uv pip install "aeon[all_extras]>=1.4,<2".

Experimental modules

Upstream treats forecasting, anomaly_detection, segmentation, similarity_search, and visualisation as experimental — interfaces may change between minor releases. Prefer stable modules (classification, regression, clustering, distances, transformations) for production pipelines unless you need these tasks.

Core Capabilities

1. Time Series Classification

Categorize time series into predefined classes. See references/classification.md for complete algorithm catalog.

Quick Start:

python
from aeon.classification.convolution_based import RocketClassifier
from aeon.datasets import load_classification

# Load data
X_train, y_train = load_classification("GunPoint", split="train")
X_test, y_test = load_classification("GunPoint", split="test")

# Train classifier
clf = RocketClassifier(n_kernels=10000)
clf.fit(X_train, y_train)
accuracy = clf.score(X_test, y_test)

Algorithm Selection:

  • Speed + Performance: MiniRocketClassifier, Arsenal
  • Maximum Accuracy: HIVECOTEV2, InceptionTimeClassifier
  • Interpretability: ShapeletTransformClassifier, Catch22Classifier
  • Small Datasets: KNeighborsTimeSeriesClassifier with DTW distance

2. Time Series Regression

Predict continuous values from time series. See references/regression.md for algorithms.

Quick Start:

python
from aeon.regression.convolution_based import RocketRegressor
from aeon.datasets import load_regression

X_train, y_train = load_regression("Covid3Month", split="train")
X_test, y_test = load_regression("Covid3Month", split="test")

reg = RocketRegressor()
reg.fit(X_train, y_train)
predictions = reg.predict(X_test)

3. Time Series Clustering

Group similar time series without labels. See references/clustering.md for methods.

Quick Start:

python
from aeon.clustering import TimeSeriesKMeans

clusterer = TimeSeriesKMeans(
    n_clusters=3,
    distance="dtw",
    averaging_method="ba"
)
labels = clusterer.fit_predict(X_train)
centers = clusterer.cluster_centers_

4. Forecasting

Predict future time series values (experimental module in aeon 1.x). See references/forecasting.md for forecasters.

Quick Start:

python
import numpy as np
from aeon.forecasting import NaiveForecaster
from aeon.forecasting.stats import ARIMA

y_train = np.array([1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0])

# Set horizon in the constructor; predict passes the series to forecast from
naive = NaiveForecaster(strategy="last", horizon=5)
naive.fit(y_train)
y_pred = naive.predict(y_train)

# ARIMA uses p/d/q (not order=); multi-step via iterative_forecast
arima = ARIMA(p=1, d=1, q=1)
arima.fit(y_train)
y_pred = arima.iterative_forecast(y_train, prediction_horizon=5)

5. Anomaly Detection

Identify unusual patterns or outliers. See references/anomaly_detection.md for detectors.

Quick Start:

python
from aeon.anomaly_detection import STOMP

detector = STOMP(window_size=50)
anomaly_scores = detector.fit_predict(y)

# Higher scores indicate anomalies
threshold = np.percentile(anomaly_scores, 95)
anomalies = anomaly_scores > threshold

6. Segmentation

Partition time series into regions with change points. See references/segmentation.md.

Quick Start:

python
from aeon.segmentation import ClaSPSegmenter

segmenter = ClaSPSegmenter()
change_points = segmenter.fit_predict(y)

Find similar patterns within or across time series. See references/similarity_search.md.

Quick Start:

python
from aeon.similarity_search import StompMotif

# Find recurring patterns
motif_finder = StompMotif(window_size=50, k=3)
motifs = motif_finder.fit_predict(y)

Feature Extraction and Transformations

Transform time series for feature engineering. See references/transformations.md.

ROCKET Features:

python
from aeon.transformations.collection.convolution_based import RocketTransformer

rocket = RocketTransformer()
X_features = rocket.fit_transform(X_train)

# Use features with any sklearn classifier
from sklearn.ensemble import RandomForestClassifier
clf = RandomForestClassifier()
clf.fit(X_features, y_train)

Statistical Features:

python
from aeon.transformations.collection.feature_based import Catch22

catch22 = Catch22()
X_features = catch22.fit_transform(X_train)

Preprocessing:

python
from aeon.transformations.collection import MinMaxScaler, Normalizer

scaler = Normalizer()  # Z-normalization
X_normalized = scaler.fit_transform(X_train)

Distance Metrics

Specialized temporal distance measures. See references/distances.md for complete catalog.

Usage:

python
from aeon.distances import dtw_distance, dtw_pairwise_distance

# Single distance
distance = dtw_distance(x, y, window=0.1)

# Pairwise distances
distance_matrix = dtw_pairwise_distance(X_train)

# Use with classifiers
from aeon.classification.distance_based import KNeighborsTimeSeriesClassifier

clf = KNeighborsTimeSeriesClassifier(
    n_neighbors=5,
    distance="dtw",
    distance_params={"window": 0.2}
)

Available Distances:

  • Elastic: DTW, DDTW, WDTW, ERP, EDR, LCSS, TWE, MSM
  • Lock-step: Euclidean, Manhattan, Minkowski
  • Shape-based: Shape DTW, SBD

Deep Learning Networks

Neural architectures for time series. See references/networks.md.

Architectures:

  • Convolutional: FCNClassifier, ResNetClassifier, InceptionTimeClassifier
  • Recurrent: RecurrentNetwork, TCNNetwork
  • Autoencoders: AEFCNClusterer, AEResNetClusterer

Usage:

python
from aeon.classification.deep_learning import InceptionTimeClassifier

clf = InceptionTimeClassifier(n_epochs=100, batch_size=32)
clf.fit(X_train, y_train)
predictions = clf.predict(X_test)

Datasets and Benchmarking

Load standard benchmarks and evaluate performance. See references/datasets_benchmarking.md.

Load Datasets:

python
from aeon.datasets import load_classification, load_gunpoint, load_regression

# Classification (generic loader or dataset-specific helper)
X_train, y_train = load_classification("GunPoint", split="train")
X_train, y_train = load_gunpoint(split="train")  # same UCR dataset

# Regression
X_train, y_train = load_regression("Covid3Month", split="train")

Benchmarking:

python
from aeon.benchmarking import get_estimator_results

# Compare with published results
published = get_estimator_results("ROCKET", "GunPoint")

Common Workflows

Classification Pipeline

python
from aeon.transformations.collection import Normalizer
from aeon.classification.convolution_based import RocketClassifier
from sklearn.pipeline import Pipeline

pipeline = Pipeline([
    ('normalize', Normalizer()),
    ('classify', RocketClassifier())
])

pipeline.fit(X_train, y_train)
accuracy = pipeline.score(X_test, y_test)

Feature Extraction + Traditional ML

python
from aeon.transformations.collection import RocketTransformer
from sklearn.ensemble import GradientBoostingClassifier

# Extract features
rocket = RocketTransformer()
X_train_features = rocket.fit_transform(X_train)
X_test_features = rocket.transform(X_test)

# Train traditional ML
clf = GradientBoostingClassifier()
clf.fit(X_train_features, y_train)
predictions = clf.predict(X_test_features)

Anomaly Detection with Visualization

python
from aeon.anomaly_detection import STOMP
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

detector = STOMP(window_size=50)
scores = detector.fit_predict(y)

plt.figure(figsize=(15, 5))
plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
plt.plot(y, label='Time Series')
plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
plt.plot(scores, label='Anomaly Scores', color='red')
plt.axhline(np.percentile(scores, 95), color='k', linestyle='--')
plt.show()

Best Practices

Data Preparation

  1. Normalize: Most algorithms benefit from z-normalization

    python
    from aeon.transformations.collection import Normalizer
normalizer = Normalizer()
X_train = normalizer.fit_transform(X_train)
X_test = normalizer.transform(X_test)

  2. Handle Missing Values: Impute before analysis

    python
    from aeon.transformations.collection import SimpleImputer
imputer = SimpleImputer(strategy='mean')
X_train = imputer.fit_transform(X_train)

  3. Check Data Format: Collections use (n_cases, n_channels, n_timepoints); single series use (n_channels, n_timepoints) (see data format)

Model Selection

  1. Start Simple: Begin with ROCKET variants before deep learning
  2. Use Validation: Split training data for hyperparameter tuning
  3. Compare Baselines: Test against simple methods (1-NN Euclidean, Naive)
  4. Consider Resources: ROCKET for speed, deep learning if GPU available

Algorithm Selection Guide

For Fast Prototyping:

  • Classification: MiniRocketClassifier
  • Regression: MiniRocketRegressor
  • Clustering: TimeSeriesKMeans with Euclidean

For Maximum Accuracy:

  • Classification: HIVECOTEV2, InceptionTimeClassifier
  • Regression: InceptionTimeRegressor
  • Forecasting: AutoARIMA, AutoETS, TCNForecaster (requires [all_extras] for deep learning)

For Interpretability:

  • Classification: ShapeletTransformClassifier, Catch22Classifier
  • Features: Catch22, TSFresh

For Small Datasets:

  • Distance-based: KNeighborsTimeSeriesClassifier with DTW
  • Avoid: Deep learning (requires large data)

Reference Documentation

Detailed information available in references/:

  • classification.md - All classification algorithms
  • regression.md - Regression methods
  • clustering.md - Clustering algorithms
  • forecasting.md - Forecasting approaches
  • anomaly_detection.md - Anomaly detection methods
  • segmentation.md - Segmentation algorithms
  • similarity_search.md - Pattern matching and motif discovery
  • transformations.md - Feature extraction and preprocessing
  • distances.md - Time series distance metrics
  • networks.md - Deep learning architectures
  • datasets_benchmarking.md - Data loading and evaluation tools

Additional Resources