A object that actuates or moves anything is called an actuator.

The basic ideas behind actuators

More liveliness. Other sources of input energy include thermal (such as bimetallic switches or
levers), hydraulic or pneumatic (such as pistons and valves), and electric sources. Levers and jacks,
for instance, might be thought of as "manual" actuators (such as motors and resonators). According
to the transducers unit, a transducer is any device that changes one type of energy into another. In
light of that concept, an actuator may be a specific class of transducer. The motor is one of these
actuators. A motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy; as a result, it may operate as
both an actuator and a transducer. Mechanical actuators often transform rotational motion into
linear motion in order to perform an action. This type of actuator is often made up of gears, rails,
pulleys, chains, springs, and other parts. The most typical example is the pneumatic actuator in the
main engine that modifies the position of the roller over the camshaft for reversing.