Abstract: In an arrangement for detecting obstacles, particularly during the automatic closing of convertible tops, motor-vehicle windows or the like, a capacitive sensor device is provided, made up of an electrically conductive transmitter area on the one side and an electrically conductive sensor wire and at least one essentially potential-free metal area on the other side of an insulator, the transmitter area and the sensor wire being linked to an evaluation circuit.

Abstract: In a procedure for non-contact distance measurement, in particular to measure the distance from obstacles in the immediate vicinity of motor vehicles, measurements are made using a first measuring procedure, and in a first measuring range absolute values of the respective distance are determined. Using a second measuring procedure, relative values are determined in a second measuring range that overlaps the first. Absolute values of the first measuring procedure, which lie inside the overlapping range, are used to calibrate the relative values of the second measuring procedure.