Motion recognition processes are disclosed, in particular for regulating the impact speed of an armature on an electromagnetic actuator with at least one electromagnet having at least one pole face (4) and connected to a controllable power supply, and with an armature (5) connected to a regulating element to be actuated which when power is supplied to the electromagnet, is moved against the force of a restoring spring (7) in the direction of the pole face of the electromagnet from a first switching position to a second switching position in which it stops against the pole face. At least one sensor (11) detects in a defined air gap zone of the pole face a progressive attenuation of the magnetic field as the armature approaches and generates a corresponding signal.