actuator
noun
ac·tu·a·tor
ˈak-chə-ˌwā-tər 
-shə-
: one that actuates
specifically
: a mechanical device for moving or controlling something
Examples of actuator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their actuator, published 20 March in Science Robotics, uses springs and clutches to accomplish a variety of tasks with a fraction of the energy usage of a typical electric motor.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
Should any of the braking actuators fail, the backup systems can prevent loss of control and bring the truck to a safe stop.
—Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
This short video shows an actuator from Ed Habtour at the University of Washington, in Seattle, modeled after the vertebrae of seabirds and snakes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Apr. 2023
If the primary steering actuator experiences any type of failure, the steering system seamlessly switches to the secondary actuator to maintain full control without compromising the vehicle dynamics.
—Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Small electrical currents heat and cool the wires, allowing the actuators to move their fins or limbs as fast as 40 times a second while also lifting over 150 times their weight.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Jan. 2024
Mobile manipulators – Mobile autonomous robots like those in used warehouses to move inventory are increasingly being fitted with arms and actuators to add flexibility to work done on either end of a trip.
—Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
The piezoelectric transducer material requires only one millimeter of enclosure thickness, compared to several millimeters for dynamic speakers or linear resonant actuators, enabling a new generation of thinner handheld devices.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024
Their sensors and actuators are distributed in the environment.
—Bruce Schneier, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
Should any of the braking actuators fail, the backup systems can prevent loss of control and bring the truck to a safe stop.
—Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
This short video shows an actuator from Ed Habtour at the University of Washington, in Seattle, modeled after the vertebrae of seabirds and snakes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Apr. 2023
If the primary steering actuator experiences any type of failure, the steering system seamlessly switches to the secondary actuator to maintain full control without compromising the vehicle dynamics.
—Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Small electrical currents heat and cool the wires, allowing the actuators to move their fins or limbs as fast as 40 times a second while also lifting over 150 times their weight.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Jan. 2024
Mobile manipulators – Mobile autonomous robots like those in used warehouses to move inventory are increasingly being fitted with arms and actuators to add flexibility to work done on either end of a trip.
—Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
The piezoelectric transducer material requires only one millimeter of enclosure thickness, compared to several millimeters for dynamic speakers or linear resonant actuators, enabling a new generation of thinner handheld devices.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024
Their sensors and actuators are distributed in the environment.
—Bruce Schneier, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'actuator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Actuator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actuator. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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