Head-mounted display device with direct-current (DC) motors for moving displays

A head-mounted display device includes one or more lenses and a display configured to provide visual data through the one or more lenses. The head-mounted display device also includes a direct-current (DC) motor mechanically coupled to the display, and the DC motor is configured to move the display along an axis by rotating a rotatable component of the DC motor. The head-mounted display device further includes: position sensor(s) configured to determine a position of the display, and electronic controller(s) in communication with the position sensor(s). The electronic controller(s) are configured to: (i) receive, from the position sensor(s), the determined position of the display as a first position of the display, (ii) receive information identifying a second position of the display, and (iii) generate electrical signal(s) that cause the DC motor to move the display from the first position to the second position along the axis.