Abstract: A positioning apparatus positions free ends of resilient members. The apparatus couples a capacitance member to the free end and places the capacitance member within an electrode system. A voltage source applies an electric charge to the capacitance member and voltage signals applied to the electrode system generate electric fields which urge the free end to a position of equilibrium between an urging force of said electric field on said electric charge and an internal restoring force of said resilient member. This apparatus is adapted to also be a position sensing apparatus which includes a time-variable signal generator that is coupled to the capacitance member and a current sensor that senses current magnitudes in the electrodes of the electrode system. Each current magnitude is representative of the distance between that electrode and the capacitance member.