A system for detecting proximity to a target object. The novel system includes a detector adapted to receive a reflected electromagnetic beam from the target and a processor adapted to determine a distance to the target by measuring an angle of the reflected beam. The system may also include an emitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic beam toward the target to produce the reflected beam such that the angle of the reflected beam corresponds with a distance to the target. In an illustrative embodiment, the emitter is a focused infrared emitter or laser diode positioned to transmit the beam at a known angle such that the transmitted beam crosses an optical axis of the detector. The processor may also be adapted to use the rate of change of the amplitude of the reflected beam in determining the distance to the target.