Abstract: The drive comprises an air-operated driving unit imparting either a linear or a rotary motion to the working member of a manipulator and, at the same time, driving the rotor of an electromagnetic brake in accordance with displacement of the working member. For linear movement of the working member, the driving unit comprises an air-operated piston-cylinder actuator and, for rotary movement of the working member, comprises a vane-type air motor. An electronic control system controls the operation of the driving unit and of the electromagnetic brake, and thus the motion of the working member.