The invention relates to a sensor system for sensing objects in an area of the surroundings of a motor vehicle, in which, in order for the sensor system to sense the objects, waves are emitted in a predefinable main irradiation direction, are reflected partially at the objects to be sensed and are then partially received again by the sensor system and evaluated. According to the invention, the main irradiation direction of the emitted waves is predefined by the sensor system in such a way that the emitted waves are firstly reflected at the underlying surface and then reach the spatial area to be monitored.