System and method for remote automated vehicle alignment with a trailer for hitching

A vehicle, comprising:

• a steering system;
• a wireless communication module;
• a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle;
• and
• system for assisting in aligning the vehicle for hitching with a trailer, including a controller:
• receiving, via the wireless communication module, an automated hitching initiation command from an external wireless device including memory encoded with an application that facilitates communication of the external wireless device with the wireless communication module;
• receiving the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle;
• deriving a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and further deriving a travel zone of the vehicle along the backing path;
• causing the external wireless device to display a graphic representation of at least one desired range of user locations relative to the exterior of the vehicle, and outside the travel zone, in which the application directs the user to be positioned during maneuvering of the vehicle including reversing along the backing path;
• and
• controlling the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.

A method for assisting a vehicle in hitching with a trailer, comprising:

• receiving an automated hitching system activation command from a user within the vehicle, via a vehicle-human machine interface within the vehicle;
• after receiving the automated hitching system activation command, receiving, via a wireless communication module within the vehicle, an automated hitching initiation command from a user, via an external wireless device positioned outside the vehicle;
• after receiving both the automated hitching system activation command and the automated hitching initiation command:
• receiving scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle from a detection system outputting a signal including the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle;
• deriving a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer;
• controlling a vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path;
• and
• while maneuvering the vehicle including reversing along the backing path, determining that the hitch ball is within a threshold distance of the coupler and pausing for a user confirmation that a height of the coupler relative to the hitch ball is acceptable before continuing maneuvering the vehicle including reversing along the backing path to vertically align the hitch ball with the coupler.