The term actuator is primarily at home in the fields of automation, industry and Industry 4.0, as well as the Internet of Things. An actuator is a type of „motor“ for machines or devices. It ensures that a physical movement arises from an electronic control. In other words, while sensors capture information, actuators convert this information into actions.
A well-known example is an automatic door: a sensor recognises when someone approaches. The actuator then moves the door leaf so that it opens. Without the actuator, the door would remain closed despite the sensor movement.
Actuators also play a major role in modern factories, for example, when robotic arms grip components or conveyor belts move. In the Smart Home, actuators open windows at the push of a button or regulate the heating.
In short: Actuators convert digital commands into real actions. They are the „muscles“ of machines in the age of digitalisation and automation.
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