Tail lift control systems and methods

A method to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo by using a tail lift of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by a processor, inputs from a detection unit, wherein the detection unit is configured to:
• detect a location of a vehicle operator in proximity to the vehicle;
• detect a placement location of a cargo on the tail lift, wherein the tail lift is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the tail lift is disposed perpendicular to a vehicle cargo bed in the retracted position, and wherein the tail lift is disposed parallel to the vehicle cargo bed in the extended position;
• and
• detect an obstruction in proximity to the tail lift;
• determining, by the processor, that the vehicle operator has moved from a vehicle interior portion to a vehicle exterior portion based on the location of the vehicle operator;
• causing, by the processor, the tail lift to move from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to a determination that the vehicle operator has moved from the vehicle interior portion to the vehicle exterior portion;
• determining, by the processor, that a predefined condition is met based on the inputs, wherein the predefined condition is met when the placement location is deviated from a tail lift center position by more than a predefined deviation threshold or when the obstruction is within a predefined range of the tail lift;
• and
• outputting, by the processor, a notification responsive to a determination that the predefined condition is met, wherein the notification comprises instructions to adjust the placement location or move the obstruction away from the tail lift.

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

• obtain inputs from a detection unit of a vehicle, wherein the detection unit is configured to:
• detect a location of a vehicle operator in proximity to the vehicle;
• detect a placement location of a cargo on a tail lift of the vehicle, wherein the tail lift is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the tail lift is disposed perpendicular to a vehicle cargo bed of the vehicle in the retracted position, and wherein the tail lift is disposed parallel to the vehicle cargo bed in the extended position;
• and
• detect an obstruction in proximity to the tail lift;
• determine that the vehicle operator has moved from a vehicle interior portion to a vehicle exterior portion based on the location of the vehicle operator;
• cause the tail lift to move from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to a determination that the vehicle operator has moved from the vehicle interior portion to the vehicle exterior portion;
• determine that a predefined condition is met based on the inputs, wherein the predefined condition is met when the placement location is deviated from a tail lift center position by more than a predefined deviation threshold or when the obstruction is within a predefined range of the tail lift;
• and
• output a notification responsive to a determination that the predefined condition is met, wherein the notification comprises instructions to adjust the placement location or move the obstruction away from the tail lift.