Embodiments are disclosed for a low-frequency detection and ranging. In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: an open electrode; an alternating current (AC) voltage source configured to supply an excitation voltage to the open electrode at an excitation frequency; a resonant circuit coupled to the open electrode, the resonant circuit configured to oscillate when an object is within a detection distance of the open electrode; one or more processors configured to: obtain time domain samples of an output voltage of the resonant circuit when the resonant circuit is oscillating; convert the time domain samples into frequency domain samples; for each frequency domain sample, determine an amplitude difference and a phase difference as compared to an amplitude and phase of the excitation voltage; and determine a material class of the object based on the amplitude difference and the phase difference.