The invention relates to an object detection system for an inductive power transfer system, in particular for transferring power to a vehicle on a surface of a route, wherein the inductive power transfer system includes a primary winding structure and a secondary winding structure, wherein a charging volume is assigned to the inductive power transfer system during inductive power transfer, wherein the object detection system includes at least one sensing device, wherein the sensing device has a detection volume, wherein the at least one sensing device is arranged such that the detection volume is fully arranged outside the charging volume or includes only an edge portion of the charging volume. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for detecting a foreign object, an inductive power transfer system and a vehicle.