Piezoelectric motors have evolved from their beginnings in laboratories to use in mass production industrial applications. Modern piezo motor designs provide a higher level of performance from a smaller size, produce higher resolution movement, and require less power and energy than other types of positioning technologies. Because of this, piezoelectric motors have several advantages over traditional motion control devices. 

With their low power consumption, compact size, and ultra-high precision motion, piezoelectric motors are being used in an increasing number of applications. They have typically enjoyed wide use in semiconductors and industrial devices requiring precision control. In recent years, the use of piezoelectric motors in digital cameras and cell phones has grown rapidly.

Piezo-based motion is now used in infusion pumps, microscope stages, optical positioning, instrumentation, inkjet nozzles, and more; inexpensive piezo motors and actuators are used for audio sounders, alarms, door locks and even small loudspeakers. Piezo motors can be fast, can reach into the multi-kHz range — impossible with electromagnetic motors — and are precise, repeatable, and controllable. Furthermore, they are clean, with no bearings needing lubricant that may cause contamination, while their non-metallic nature is also an advantage in many situations (for example medical MRI).