An automated method for upgrading an automation function controlling an actuator via a PLC (programmable logic controller), comprising the steps: a) providing a first container (C1) and a first sidecar container (SC1), whereby the first container (C1) contains a first automation function (AF1), and the first sidecar container (SC1) contains a first test unit (TU1) and a first upgrade unit (UU1), whereby the first automation function (AF1) is configured to communicate with the first sidecar container (SC1), b) the first automation function (AF1) is controlling the actuator (RT) via the PLC, c) providing a second container (C2) and a second sidecar container (SC2), whereby the second container (C2) contains a second automation function (AF2), and the second sidecar container (SC2) contains a second test unit (TU2) and a second upgrade unit (UU2), whereby the second automation function (AF2) is configured to communicate with the second sidecar container (SC2), d) the second automation function (AF2) is receiving data from the actuator (RT) but is not controlling the actuator (RT), e) based on the received data pre-activation tests for the second automation function (AF2) are executed in the second sidecar container (SC2) by the second test unit (TU2), f) if the pre-activation tests are successfully finished, the time when the control of the actuator (RT) is handed over from the first automation function (AF1) to the second automation function (AF2) is determined through negotiation between the first upgrade unit (UU1) and the second upgrade unit (UU2), and g) the control of the actuator (RT) is handed over from the first automation function (AF1) to the second automation function (AF2) at the negotiated time. a) providing a first container (C1) and a first sidecar container (SC1), whereby the first container (C1) contains a first automation function (AF1), and the first sidecar container (SC1) contains a first test unit (TU1) and a first upgrade unit (UU1), whereby the first automation function (AF1) is configured to communicate with the first sidecar container (SC1), b) the first automation function (AF1) is controlling the actuator (RT) via the PLC, c) providing a second container (C2) and a second sidecar container (SC2), whereby the second container (C2) contains a second automation function (AF2), and the second sidecar container (SC2) contains a second test unit (TU2) and a second upgrade unit (UU2), whereby the second automation function (AF2) is configured to communicate with the second sidecar container (SC2), d) the second automation function (AF2) is receiving data from the actuator (RT) but is not controlling the actuator (RT), e) based on the received data pre-activation tests for the second automation function (AF2) are executed in the second sidecar container (SC2) by the second test unit (TU2), f) if the pre-activation tests are successfully finished, the time when the control of the actuator (RT) is handed over from the first automation function (AF1) to the second automation function (AF2) is determined through negotiation between the first upgrade unit (UU1) and the second upgrade unit (UU2), and g) the control of the actuator (RT) is handed over from the first automation function (AF1) to the second automation function (AF2) at the negotiated time. <EOS>