The invention is a driving mechanism for exerting a pre-determined torque characteristic, comprising a stepper motor (12) having a motor shaft, a rotation measuring device detecting the angular position of the motor shaft (14), a motor control unit effecting the torque characteristic on the basis of the angular position of the motor shaft (14), a drive shaft (10) exerting the torque characteristic and an essentially backlash-free transmission connecting the drive shaft (10) with the motor shaft (14), and the motor control unit is a local motor control unit providing operating signals to the stepper motor (12) and being programmable in at least one parameter.