Disclosed herein are methods for a multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) motor system with reduced number of electromagnet control phases. The motor system includes a first body that is able to move relative to a second body along multiple DOFs. The first body has at least one magnetic positioner attached. The second body has a plurality of controlled electromagnets. Control signals, the total number of phases of which is less than half the total number of electromagnets, energize at least one of the controlled electromagnets to create magnetic interaction with at least one magnetic positioner on the first body, and to control the movement of the first body relative to the second body along designated dimension(s).