Method for truck backup with dynamic length

A method to assist a vehicle user during backup of a vehicle having a tailgate, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by a processor, a first input from a first detection unit configured to detect a tailgate latch state, wherein the tailgate is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position;
• determining, by the processor, whether the tailgate is in the retracted position or in the extended position based on the first input;
• obtaining, by the processor, a second input from a second detection unit based on the tailgate being in the extended position or between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the second detection unit is configured to capture a vehicle cargo box view;
• identifying, by the processor, that a field of view of the second detection unit is obstructed based on the second input;
• activating, by the processor, a third detection unit based on the second detection unit field of view being obstructed, wherein the third detection unit is configured to capture a vehicle rear view;
• determining, by the processor and based on a third input from the third detection unit, that a tailgate extended orientation is an intermediate position by determining that a field of view of the third detection unit comprises a view of a ground underneath the vehicle and a structure of the vehicle;
• calculating, by the processor, a tailgate level using a length of the tailgate and an angle of the tailgate in the intermediate position;
• determining, by the processor, a presence of an obstacle in proximity of a vehicle rear side based on the third input;
• determining, by the processor, whether an obstacle height is above a tailgate level based on the third input;
• calculating, by the processor, a distance between the obstacle and a tailgate edge based on the tailgate extended orientation when the obstacle height is above the tailgate level;
• and notifying, by the processor, the vehicle user when the distance is less than a predetermined threshold.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a distributed computing system, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• obtain a first input from a first detection unit configured to detect a tailgate latch state of a tailgate in a vehicle, wherein the wherein the tailgate is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position;
• determine whether the tailgate is in the retracted position or in the extended position based on the first input;
• obtain a second input from a second detection unit based on the tailgate being in the extended position or between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the second detection unit is configured to capture a vehicle cargo box view;
• identify based on the second input that a field of view of the second detection unit is obstructed;
• activate the third detection unit based on the second detection unit field of view being obstructed;
• determine, based on a third input from a third detection unit configured to capture a vehicle rear view, that a tailgate extended orientation is an intermediate position by determining that a field of view of the third detection unit comprises a view of a ground underneath the vehicle and a structure of the vehicle;
• calculate a tailgate level using a length of the tailgate and an angle of the tailgate in the intermediate position;
• determine a presence of an obstacle in proximity of a vehicle rear side based on the third input;
• determine whether an obstacle height is above the tailgate level based on the third input;
• calculate a distance between the obstacle and a tailgate edge based on the tailgate extended orientation when the obstacle height is above the tailgate level;
• and
• notify a vehicle user when the distance is less than a predetermined threshold.