A method and a device for the mutual monitoring and/or control of a multiplicity of autonomous technical systems which are at least partially interconnected to one another via a communication network is provided. At least one of the autonomous technical systems is embodied as a monitoring autonomous technical system and monitors the operating behaviour of other autonomous technical systems. Since a specified first rule, the monitoring autonomous technical system detects an operating behavior, which is contrary to the rule, of a first autonomous technical system and generates a status message about the operating behavior which is contrary to the rule therefrom. Depending on the evaluation, a control rule is derived for the first autonomous technical system and communicated to a control module which is assigned to the first autonomous technical system. The operating behavior of the first autonomous technical system is controlled on the basis of the control rule.