Yes mad4it, used correctly, especially with youngsters, they are great tools to sharpen up your dogs.
Start with short runs (50m) and depending on the size of the battery, and line, and maybe some of them little wheels, they use in simulated coursing, you could do anything from your own little flapping track, to a fancy simulated course.
I moa the best way to get a dog match fit, other than behind it's intended game.
If your happy just running them in straight lines, try a little hill, then build it up to as steep as your dogs can handle.