section_path: Mechanical robotics areas/Actuation
section_name: Actuation
paragraph_text: Actuation
  
  Actuators are the " muscles " of a robot, the parts which convert stored energy into movement. By far the most popular actuators are electric motors that rotate a wheel or gear, and linear actuators that control industrial robots in factories. There are some recent advances in alternative types of actuators, powered by electricity, chemicals, or compressed air.