A method for the synchronous control of a plurality of handling devices,
such as industrial robots, having a control command to be implemented by
controls of the handling devices participating in a synchronization is
initiated on a random control and is subsequently further processed
therein as a function of the nature of the command. An apparatus suitable
for performing the method has a storage device for storing a control
program for the particular handling device, input device for initiating a
control command to be distributed for synchronization purposes,
transmitting device for transmitting an initiated command to other
controls participating in a synchronization, receiving device for
receiving a command transmitted by another participating control,
processing device for processing the control program in accordance with
the control command and optionally for checking the initiated or received
command and decision device for blocking or unblocking the transmission
and/or for ordering a solely local implementation of an initiated control
command.