Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle brake system, an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives a first signal from the accelerometer and, during reversing of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, transmits an actuation signal to the vehicle brake system when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: Upon initiation of trailer-hitching, an image is obtained of an area behind and in a horizontal plane with respect to a vehicle, the area including a rearwardly extending trailer hitch, with a hitch ball mounted thereto, mounted to the vehicle. The hitch ball is located in the image. An overshoot zone, having a length extending from a vehicle rear bumper to a nearest point on the vehicle hitch ball and having a width that is a sum of a diameter of the hitch and two times a lateral offset, is defined within the area, as is a misaligned zone having a border extending from the vehicle rear bumper to a line tangent to a rearmost point of the hitch ball. A vehicle action is caused upon determining that the trailer coupling is detected in the overshoot zone or the misaligned zone.

Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a sensing system configured to detect a hitch assembly and a coupler. A controller is configured to determine an offset between the hitch assembly and the coupler. The controller is further configured to generate a command for maneuvering the vehicle forward based on the offset exceeding an offset threshold. The controller is further configured to generate a command for subsequently maneuvering the vehicle rearward along an alignment path. The controller is configured to prompt termination of the forward maneuver of the vehicle based on a determination that alignment of the hitch assembly with the coupler is feasible via execution of the alignment path.

Abstract: A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.

Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a sensing system configured to detect a hitch assembly and a coupler. A controller is configured to determine an offset between the hitch assembly and the coupler. The controller is further configured to generate a command for maneuvering the vehicle forward based on the offset exceeding an offset threshold. The controller is further configured to generate a command for subsequently maneuvering the vehicle rearward along an alignment path. The controller is configured to prompt termination of the forward maneuver of the vehicle based on a determination that alignment of the hitch assembly with the coupler is feasible via execution of the alignment path.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: A hitch assist system and method are provided herein. A human machine interface is configured to receive user-input specifying a target travel direction of a vehicle. A controller is configured to generate commands for autonomously maneuvering the vehicle in the target travel direction, identify a hitch coupler of a trailer based on input received from an object detection system, and request additional user-input updating the target travel direction if the hitch coupler is unable to be identified.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle brake system, an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives a first signal from the accelerometer and, during reversing of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, transmits an actuation signal to the vehicle brake system when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: Upon initiation of trailer-hitching, an image is obtained of an area behind and in a horizontal plane with respect to a vehicle, the area including a rearwardly extending trailer hitch, with a hitch ball mounted thereto, mounted to the vehicle. The hitch ball is located in the image. An overshoot zone, having a length extending from a vehicle rear bumper to a nearest point on the vehicle hitch ball and having a width that is a sum of a diameter of the hitch and two times a lateral offset, is defined within the area, as is a misaligned zone having a border extending from the vehicle rear bumper to a line tangent to a rearmost point of the hitch ball. A vehicle action is caused upon determining that the trailer coupling is detected in the overshoot zone or the misaligned zone.

Abstract: A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.

Abstract: A hitch assist system and method are provided herein. A human machine interface is configured to receive user-input specifying a target travel direction of a vehicle. A controller is configured to generate commands for autonomously maneuvering the vehicle in the target travel direction, identify a hitch coupler of a trailer based on input received from an object detection system, and request additional user-input updating the target travel direction if the hitch coupler is unable to be identified.