Vehicle roof equipped with an operating device for electrical vehicle components

The device has an operating device for at least one electrical vehicle component for operation by a vehicle occupant. The operating device has a sensor surface arrangement (12g) for detecting the presence of and/or movement of a hand or part of a hand of the occupant in a detection region and providing an electrical drive signal based on the detection to control the component(s). An independent claim is also included for the following: (a) a method of operating at least one component of a vehicle with an operating device in the roof area.