Method and apparatus for operating an automated system, automated system, and computer-program product

A method for operating an automated system, the system comprising a first control device, a controlled device and a second control device, wherein:

• the controlled device is implemented to perform an action as a function of received control data;
• the first control device is implemented to receive system data and to generate control data for controlling the controlled device as a function of the received system data;
• and
• the second control device is implemented to receive input data and to generate output data as a function of the input data according to a computer-implemented mapping algorithm;
• wherein the method comprises:
• adapting the computer-implemented mapping algorithm such that the second control device, upon receiving the system data as input data generates output data that is similar to the control data generated by the first control device with a predetermined similarity degree, wherein the computer-implemented mapping algorithm includes a neural network algorithm and/or a machine learning algorithm,
• wherein the adapting includes comparing the control data generated by the first control device and the output data generated by the second control device as a function of the same received system data for determining the similarity degree,
• if the similarity degree is larger than a predetermined upper threshold, replacing the first control device by the second control device, and optionally deactivating the first control device;
• and/or
• if the similarity degree is smaller than a predetermined lower threshold, initiating the obtention of additional input data and/or storing the determined similarity degree in a database.