A user interface device having a haptic actuator, a sensor, a storage device, and a control circuit is presented. The sensor is configured to measure movement output by the haptic actuator. The control circuit is configured to apply a first drive signal to the haptic actuator to generate a first haptic effect, and to receive a sensor measurement that describes movement of the haptic actuator in response to the first drive signal, and to generate or update, based on the measurement, an actuator model that describes how the haptic actuator moves in response to drive signals. The control circuit is further configured to generate a second drive signal based on a desired movement for a second haptic effect and based on the actuator model, and to control the haptic actuator to generate the second haptic effect by applying the second drive signal to the haptic actuator.