A system and method that provides a proximity sensor disposed within a door handle of a vehicle to enable one or more commands to be transmitted to the vehicle by a user's hand, wherein the door handle is in a harsh outdoor environment such that the door handle may be wet when the proximity sensor is used to detect the touch or presence of a user's hand, and wherein the proximity sensor is able to compensate for the presence of the water and enable reliable operation of the proximity sensor and thereby enable commands to be sent to the vehicle.
