System and method for remote operation of vehicle for coupling or decoupling vehicle and trailer

A method of remotely operating a vehicle to couple a trailer to the vehicle or decouple the trailer from the vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving a user input via an input device of a remote control, wherein the remote control is configured for a user to operate the vehicle to couple the trailer to the vehicle or decouple the trailer from the vehicle while the user is outside the vehicle and the vehicle and trailer are in a field of view of the user;
• and
• sending signals from the remote control to an in-vehicle controller mounted to the vehicle, wherein the signals are configured to:
• adjust a relative position between a connector and a receiver by moving the vehicle forward or backward and adjusting a height of a suspension system on the vehicle, the connector positioned on the vehicle or the trailer, the receiver positioned on the other of the vehicle or the trailer;
• steer the vehicle;
• release a trailer lock when the relative position is at a desired position of coupling or decoupling the vehicle and the trailer;
• stop movement of the vehicle;
• and
• stop movement of the trailer.

A remote control for remotely operating a vehicle to couple a trailer to the vehicle or decouple the trailer from the vehicle, the remote control comprising:

• an input device that is configured to receive commands from a user, wherein the commands relate to operation of the vehicle to couple the trailer to the vehicle or decouple the trailer from the vehicle while the user is outside the vehicle and the vehicle and trailer are in a field of view of the user;
• one or more grips sized and shaped to be grasped by the user;
• a sensor configured to detect a grasp by the user of the one or more grips;
• a transceiver configured to send signals to the vehicle, wherein the transceiver sends the signals based on the user commands received via the input device, wherein the signals are configured to:
• move the vehicle forward or backward;
• steer the vehicle;
• stop movement of the vehicle;
• and
• stop movement of the trailer,
• wherein the remote control is configured to send the signals to an in-vehicle controller of the vehicle when the sensor detects that the user is grasping the remote control at the one or more grips, and wherein the in-vehicle controller is configured to switch an operating mode of the vehicle if the in-vehicle controller does not receive the signals within a predetermined time,
• wherein the signals are further configured to cause the in-vehicle controller to:
• adjust a relative position between a connector and a receiver by moving the vehicle forward or backward and adjusting a height of a suspension system on the vehicle, wherein the connector is positioned on one of the vehicle or the trailer, the receiver positioned on the other of the vehicle or the trailer;
• and
• release a trailer lock when the relative position is at a desired position of coupling or decoupling the vehicle and the trailer.