Application of auxiliary lighting in automatic hitch operation

A vehicle, comprising:

• a steering system;
• at least one exterior light mounted on and directed away from a rear of the vehicle;
• and
• a controller:
• illuminating one exterior light;
• acquiring image data from the vehicle;
• searching for a trailer within an area illuminated by the one or more exterior lights;
• and
• executing an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer, and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle steering system to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with a coupler of the trailer during reversing of the vehicle toward the trailer.

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

• illuminating one or more exterior lights directed toward a rear of the vehicle;
• acquiring image data for a field of view away from a rear of the vehicle;
• searching for a trailer within an area illuminated by the one or more exterior lights;
• and
• executing an automated backing process, upon identifying the trailer within the area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer, and outputting a steering signal to a vehicle steering system to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with a coupler of the trailer during reversing of the vehicle toward the trailer.