In many applications of motion control, problems associated with imprecisely measured or changing load (a mass or a moment of inertia) can be a serious obstacle in the formation of satisfactory controlling systems. This barrier compels the designer to include various kinds of uncertainties in engineering solutions. The present paper deals with the time-optimal control for mechanical systems with uncertain load. A fuzzy approach is used in the design of suboptimal feedback controllers, robust with respect to the load. The methodology proposed in this work may be easily adapted to other modeling uncertainties of mechanical systems, e.g. parameters of drive or motion resistance. c 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.