The term actuator is particularly at home in the fields of automation, industry and Factory 4.0 as well as the Internet of Things. An actuator is a kind of "motor" for machines or devices. It ensures that a physical movement is created from an electronic control. In other words, while sensors record 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 move conveyor belts. In smart homes, actuators open windows at the touch of a button or regulate the heating.
In short: actuators transform digital commands into real actions. They are the "muscles" of machines in the age of digitalisation and automation.
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