Method for automatically actuating a closing element of a vehicle, and corresponding device and vehicle

An automatic actuation of a closing element (1; 2) of a vehicle (10) is described. In this regard, an object is detected by means of an optical sensor (5). Depending on the detection of this object, the closing element (1; 2) is actuated. With the optical sensor (5), it is checked whether an obstruction is present in a movement path of the closing element (1; 2) during the actuation of the closing element (1; 2). The actuation of the closing element (1; 2) is interrupted if the optical sensor (5) detects an obstruction in the movement path of the closing element (1; 2).