Anyone using a drone to assist in backing in tight places?

I came across a drone vid on YouTube of a guy backing in to a truck stop. I assume the drone was set on auto track as it followed him. However I was thinking, this might be a good tool. We all know there are times, and after nearly 20 years I have bad days also. But a drone with a camera on the blind side in a place that's so tight you don't dare move but an inch or two and get out and look, would it help or would it be a nuisance?

Would it give false distance and confidence? Looking at a different angle may help, or it may just confuse? Any thoughts? Anyone try?

 

I like getting out and looking. I don't plan on doing it any different from here on out. Haven't hit anything yet using GOAL. If it ain't broke no need to fix it. No drone for me.

 

I've long wanted to work with a good driver at some vacant lot/building and use my drone to shoot an overhead video to help new drivers see "the big picture" of various backing scenarios, from various setups. Show the way it should be done, as well show what will fail.

 

I agree that most the time I doubt it's not needed, but I can remember some oversize loads where the positions for what I needed were so tight a overhead view to keep me on track would help.

I would worry that a guy with a drone would not get out and look, but then again he probably won't get out and look anyway.

Technology can't replace good practices, but it can aid in safe operations if used as a tool, and not as a crutch!

 

If I were training still, the replay would be an invaluable tool! To show how my set up works, or didn't and how their set up failed or didn't!

 

Small camaras would be a cheaper than a drone. Plus, depending what model, u can get a delay feedback. So it might look good on the screen but it's a few second behind. By the time u set up the drone, gps lock and take off, u would had got it in the hole doing the old fashion get out and walk to your blind side and look

 

That would be interesting. I would imagine a system like toyotas birds eye view that they have.

 

I searched youtube a few years ago for "birdseye backing" videos (tutorials) and found no such thing. Was a bit surprised no respectable school has done this. Maybe they're out there, just not publicly available.

I just think it would be cool to see some birdseye vids of trucks being backed into tight spaces by someone who knows what they're doing.

 

Parking sensors placed strategically around the rear of the trailer would possibly be a great idea. I know on cars they've taken pretty much all the drama out of parallel parking once you get used to how they work. The rear cameras help too.

An old fashioned get-out-and-look if you're not sure is still the best thing though. Would be great if you could somehow transfer your own two eyes to see whats happening back there in real time of course. With cameras there is always a loss of perspective with a 2 dimensional screen. It can be hard to tell what's two inches an what's two feet.

 

With how long it takes some of these guys the drones battery would die before it did em any good lol