GM Files Patent For Drone-Assisted Vehicle Trailering

GM has filed a patent application for a drone-assisted trailering system. The filing was made under patent number US 12,312,107 B2 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and was filed on May 26^th, 2023. The filing was published on May 27^th, 2025, and lists several U.S.-based engineers as the inventors, including Matthew E. Gilbert-Eyres, Adam L. Wright, Russell A. Patenaude, and Eric T. Hosey.

The GM patent describes a system that uses a drone to help drivers manage vehicles while towing a trailer. The drone is equipped with an array of sensors, including cameras, radar, and LiDAR, which gather important information about the trailer and vehicle.

The drone works in three different modes: assessment, operational, and delivery. In assessment mode, the drone flies around the trailer and vehicle to run safety checks, such as making sure the trailer is properly attached, checking the load balance, and confirming that brake lights and turn signals are functioning. The system sends the results to the driver or a remote advisor who can help interpret the data and create a trailering report.

Once the checks are complete, the system enters operational mode. Here, the drone attaches to the vehicle and monitors driving conditions. It can also provide a live video feed to give the driver a better view of blind spots, especially when the trailer blocks visibility. If needed, the drone’s position or camera angle can be adjusted remotely. The system can also alert the driver if something is wrong, like if the trailer is swaying too much or if cargo has come loose.

In delivery mode, the drone takes off again when the vehicle arrives at a planned destination. It may assist with various tasks, such as launching a boat or backing a trailer into a garage by flying above and providing real-time visual feedback. The drone also collects sensor data during this process, which can be sent to a remote advisor or stored in the vehicle’s system.