servo motor

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

a rotary or linear actuator that is controlled by a feedback-based closed-loop system — the servo controller — that continuously measures the output position, velocity, or force and adjusts the motor's input to minimise the error between the actual and desired output; servo motors are distinguished from ordinary motors by this closed-loop feedback control, which enables precise, repeatable positioning and smooth velocity control; in robotics, servo motors drive the joints of manipulators, camera gimbals, and any application requiring accurate position control; RC servo motors — compact units integrating motor, gear reduction, and position feedback in a single package — are widely used in hobbyist robotics and model vehicles; industrial servo motors paired with encoders and servo drives achieve sub-micrometre positioning accuracy in CNC machine tools and semiconductor manufacturing equipment

Examples

• Each joint of the robotic arm is driven by a servo motor with an integrated encoder providing 0.01-degree angular resolution.
• Hobby servo motors are self-contained units that accept a PWM control signal and hold a target angle with built-in feedback.