Cannot build/test Object Detection API on macOS M1

[damian0815]

Prerequisites

Please answer the following questions for yourself before submitting an issue.

• [*] I am using the latest TensorFlow Model Garden release and TensorFlow 2.
• [*] I am reporting the issue to the correct repository. (Model Garden official or research directory)
• [*] I checked to make sure that this issue has not already been filed.

1. The entire URL of the file you are using

N/A

2. Describe the bug

I'm following this official guide for getting starting with the Object Detection API with TF2: https://github.com/tensorflow/models/blob/master/research/object_detection/g3doc/tf2.md

After manually cloning and building tensorflow/io (necessary on macOS/M1 at this point), the only way to get model_builder_tf2_test.py to run is to follow the hack I describe here to make protobuf.internal.builder available.

3. Steps to reproduce

1. Have a Mac with an M1 chip running macOS 12.5.1.
2. Install tensorflow-macos 2.9.2, tensorflow-metal 0.5.1.
3. Follow the Python Package Installation steps in the Object Detection API with TensorFlow 2 document in this repo (https://github.com/tensorflow/models/blob/master/research/object_detection/g3doc/tf2.md).

• You'll have to manually build and install tensorflow_io and tensorflow_io_gcs_filesystem, see https://stackoverflow.com/questions/70277737/cant-install-tensorflow-io-on-m1.
• Some packages need to be installed with pip --no-dependencies.

4. Try to run python object_detection/builders/model_builder_tf2_test.py - note ImportError.
5. Follow the workaround to make proto.internal.builder available here: Could you please add support for Apple's M1 chip for running Mobilenet SSD V2 training #10429 (comment).
6. Run python object_detection/builders/model_builder_tf2_test.py - success.

4. Expected behavior

I can successfully install and test the Object Detection API using python object_detection/builders/model_builder_tf2_test.py without having to manually copy files into my python site-packages folder.

5. Additional context

N/A

6. System information

• OS Platform and Distribution (e.g., Linux Ubuntu 16.04): macOS 12.5.2
• Mobile device name if the issue happens on a mobile device:
• TensorFlow installed from (source or binary): binary
• TensorFlow version (use command below): tensorflow-macos 2.9.2
• Python version: 3.8.13
• Bazel version (if compiling from source): N/A
• GCC/Compiler version (if compiling from source): N/A
• CUDA/cuDNN version: N/A
• GPU model and memory: Mac M1

[damian0815]

see also numerous comments on #10429