What is the primary function of an actuator in an IoT system?

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Actuators convert electrical energy into physical action, allowing an IoT system to affect the real world. When a controller sends a command, the actuator produces motion, force, or a change of state—like opening a valve, turning a motor, or moving a robotic arm. This is different from sensors, which detect environmental conditions and feed data back to the system; storage, which holds data; and processing, which analyzes data. Examples include a motor that drives a fan, a solenoid that latches a mechanism, or a hydraulic cylinder that moves a piston.