Servo controller: what it means.
A servo system uses measured feedback to influence an actuator toward a requested state. Position control is a familiar example: the controller compares a target with the measured result and adjusts the drive. (University of Rochester: actuators)
Servo describes a control arrangement rather than one universal package, motor or interface. A complete system can include a controller, power electronics, mechanical actuator and feedback sensor. (University of Rochester: actuators)
Put the definition to work.
A joint may compare its target angle with measured position, then adjust its drive. “Servo” describes feedback control, not one universal package or interface. (University of Rochester: actuators)
Questions to ask next.
Use these questions as a reading checklist, not as a device-selection recommendation. Exact manufacturer documentation takes priority over a general definition.
- Controlled state and feedback signal
- Drive and actuator compatibility
- Timing, tuning and operating limits
For the broader explanation, explore the electronics inside robots. This page defines the term; the companion guide connects it to the rest of the system.
Common Servo controller questions.
Is a servo controller the same thing as a motor driver?
They describe different roles. The controller regulates behavior using feedback; the driver provides electrical drive. A product may combine both, so inspect its block diagram. (University of Rochester: actuators)