Sensor assembly for detecting environmental light and rain

The vehicle ambient sensor (1) has a first sensor for detection of rain droplets on the surface of a windscreen by reflection of emitted radiation and a light sensor (13), for measuring the intensity of the ambient light in a given direction. The sensor device is contained within a housing, with a light shield (15) screening the light sensor from the radiation emitted by light emitter (2) of the first sensor and/or from ambient light in other directions.