Methods and systems for shifting objects

A method for shifting wheeled objects using a vehicle and at least one drone, the method comprising:

• positioning the vehicle at a first location, the vehicle comprising a vehicle propulsion system, a coupling assembly useable for releasably attaching the vehicle to a wheeled object, and a first communication component;
• releasably attaching the coupling assembly to a coupling structure on the vehicle to releasably secure the vehicle to the wheeled object;
• deploying the at least one drone, the at least one drone comprising a drone propulsion system, at least one sensor, and a second communication component;
• shifting the wheeled object to a second location using the vehicle releasably secured to the wheeled object;
• detecting, using the at least one sensor of the deployed at least one drone, one or more characteristics of the wheeled object and/or of an environment surrounding the wheeled object while the wheeled object is being shifted by the vehicle;
• communicating, from the second communication component to the first communication component, feedback comprising the one or more characteristics detected by the at least one sensor, and
• adjusting operation of the vehicle and/or the at least one drone based at least in part on the feedback.

A system for shifting wheeled objects, the system comprising:

• a vehicle, comprising:
• a vehicle propulsion system,
• a coupling assembly useable for releasably attaching the vehicle to a wheeled object,
• a first communication component, and
• at least one sensor coupled to the vehicle;
• at least one drone, comprising:
• a drone propulsion system, and
• at least one sensor coupled to the at least one drone, and
• a second communication component;
• and
• a computing device comprising one or more processors adapted to execute computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media to perform a method of coordinating movement of the vehicle and the at least one drone relative to the wheeled object while the wheeled object is being shifted by the vehicle, the method comprising:
• detecting a position of the wheeled object using the at least one sensor of the at least one drone, and communicating an instruction to the vehicle and/or the at least one drone to adjust a position of the vehicle and/or the at least one drone based on the position of the wheeled object.