A magnetic reluctance actuator (MRA) comprising an unstable magnetic reluctance motor (MRM) having a strong force-to-position dependency and a nonlinear force-to-current dependency, the unstable MRM operative to move a lens carrier in a given direction, a lens position sensing mechanism, and a control unit configured to obtain an input from the position sensing mechanism and to provide closed loop control to overcome the strong force-to-position dependency and the nonlinear force-to-current dependency, thereby allowing precise lens position control.