Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes: first electrode and second electrodes; at least one sensor electrode disposed on an vehicle component with a surface accessible to a user, the sensor electrode being adapted to generate an electric field above the surface so that a capacitance of the sensor electrode depends on a position of a body part of a user with respect to the vehicle component; and a control unit connected to the sensor electrode and adapted to: identify at least one gesture, corresponding to a motion of the body part with respect to the vehicle component, based on the capacitance of the sensor electrode; identify a control signal that corresponds to the gesture; and output the control signal. The sensor electrode has a first portion and a second portion wherein the capacitance depends on whether the body part is disposed adjacent the first portion or the second portion.