Fluid-power systems often take a back seat to traditional electromechanical motion control. But designers who understand both technologies can take advantage of the best features of each, and in the process build higher-quality machines with lower life-cycle costs.

One of the most important, but possibly least understood components of a hydraulic motion system is not an active component at all. It is component that saves power, makes the system easier to control, and can extend a machine's useful life — the accumulator.

For positioning large loads, electrohydraulics can be a better choice than electromechanical motion systems.

Motion control is the simultaneous control of acceleration, velocity, and position for performing a useful task. The critical concept in this statement is that all three variables - acceleration, velocity, and position - are under control.