An actuator having electronically controllable tactile responsiveness which is flexibly programmable to facilitate provision in a single actuator of torque-position characteristics, such as a selectable number of detents per actuation through its full operative path. A rotary actuator (114) facilitates provision in a single actuator, of torque versus angular position characteristics, such as a selectable number of detents per revolution. The actuator is in communication with a servo motor (116) having a position encoder (118) which outputs position information to a controller (120) that has access to torque-position relation information. The controller outputs a digital torque signal, which is converted to an analog current signal applied to the servo motor (116). The torque, presenting a tactile response to a human interacting with the actuator (114), is sensed as a detent or a plurality of detents.