Intelligent Actuators

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and applications of intelligent actuators.

Learning Objectives

In this module, students gain a structured overview of actuator technology and its role in modern engineering systems. Students will learn how different actuator types work, where they are typically used, and why actuators are a key element in technical processes such as automation, manufacturing, and robotics. A particular focus is placed on how actuators are measured and monitored: students will understand the purpose of sensors in actuator systems, how sensor feedback improves performance and reliability, and in which cases actuators can be operated without direct sensing (sensorless actuators). In addition, students will learn how actuators can be described using electrical and electromechanical models, and how these models are used for simulation, design decisions, and control development.

Course Contents

The course begins with a classification of actuators and a discussion of the physical principles behind them. Students will explore how different forms of energy (for example electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic energy) are converted into mechanical motion or force. Building on this foundation, the course introduces typical areas of application and shows how actuator selection depends on requirements such as precision, speed, force, efficiency, and operating environment.

Next, the course covers sensing and feedback concepts for actuators. Students will learn which sensor types are commonly used (e.g., position, speed, force, temperature) and how sensor data is integrated into control systems. The module then addresses sensorless actuator concepts, explaining how internal signals and system models can be used to estimate states when external sensors are not available or desirable.

The course also introduces control strategies and communication interfaces used to operate actuators in larger systems, including basic concepts of actuator control loops and industrial communication. Finally, the module connects actuator technology to robotics by viewing robots as “intelligent actuators” that combine actuation, sensing, and control. Throughout the module, modeling and simulation are used as practical tools: students will develop an understanding of electrical and electromechanical actuator models and learn how simulation supports system analysis, controller design, and performance evaluation.