A method for the automatic movement of a working device, particularly a material handling or earth moving device, wherein the working device comprises a controller and at least two components that are each movable independently of one another by means of an actuator controllable by the controller, wherein the controller has a learning mode and a travel mode, and wherein in travel mode the working device is moved automatically from a first position into a second position by a corresponding control of the actuators, wherein in learning mode the controller records and stores data relating to the individual movements of the components during a movement of the working device, wherein the control of the actuators during the automatic movement of the working device in travel mode takes place on the basis of these data, and wherein at least one parameter of the automatic movement of the working device is configurable by the operator, wherein in learning mode the controller records the trajectories (10, 12, 14) of the actuators at discrete time intervals, wherein the recorded data comprise the instantaneous positions, characterized in that while recording the trajectories (10, 12, 14) of the actuators at discrete time intervals in learning mode, the controller also records the instantaneous speeds of the actuators and stores instantaneous actuator positions for each trajectory (10, 12, 14) as characteristic points, wherein the characteristic points comprise the actuator positions at the start and/or at the end of an actuator movement, wherein the controller classifies an instantaneous actuator position at a specific time as a characteristic point if at least one condition with respect to the instantaneous actuator speed is satisfied, wherein the condition is satisfied if the instantaneous actuator speed exceeds a first threshold value at the start of an actuator movement or falls below it at the end of an actuator movement and/or if the sign of the instantaneous actuator speed changes. in learning mode the controller records and stores data relating to the individual movements of the components during a movement of the working device, wherein the control of the actuators during the automatic movement of the working device in travel mode takes place on the basis of these data, and wherein at least one parameter of the automatic movement of the working device is configurable by the operator, wherein in learning mode the controller records the trajectories (10, 12, 14) of the actuators at discrete time intervals, wherein the recorded data comprise the instantaneous positions, characterized in that while recording the trajectories (10, 12, 14) of the actuators at discrete time intervals in learning mode, the controller also records the instantaneous speeds of the actuators and stores instantaneous actuator positions for each trajectory (10, 12, 14) as characteristic points, wherein the characteristic points comprise the actuator positions at the start and/or at the end of an actuator movement, wherein the controller classifies an instantaneous actuator position at a specific time as a characteristic point if at least one condition with respect to the instantaneous actuator speed is satisfied, wherein the condition is satisfied if the instantaneous actuator speed exceeds a first threshold value at the start of an actuator movement or falls below it at the end of an actuator movement and/or if the sign of the instantaneous actuator speed changes.