TDR-BASED SYSTEM FOR HAND OR BODY PART POSITIONING DETECTION ON AN OBJECT, PARTICULARLY ON A STEERING WHEEL

A sensing system for hand or body part positioning detection on an object, particularly on a rim of a steering wheel, includes at least one electrically conducting signal line that is arrangeable on a surface of the object with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the at least one signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the object, a signal voltage source for providing a time-dependent measurement signal to be traveling along the signal line, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received reflected measurement signal, the control and evaluation unit determines a position or positions on the object of a portion or portions of the signal line at least partially reflecting the measurement signal. Based on the determined position or positions, a hand or body part positioning on the object is determined