Automatic control of vehicle access door

Abstract

A method of operating an access door in a vehicle includes receiving, via an electronic controller, a command to open the access door and detecting an obstacle within range of operation of the access door. The method also includes generating, via a camera, a predefined image on the obstacle relative to the access door and processing, via the electronic controller, a pixelated resolution of the generated image. The method additionally includes determining, via the electronic controller, a distance of the obstacle from the access door and relative to the door's range of operation using the pixelated resolution of the image. Furthermore, the method includes limiting, via the electronic controller, the access door's range of operation when the distance of the obstacle from the door and relative to the door's range of operation is within a predetermined zone to avoid physical contact between the access door and the obstacle.