Automatic milking robot
Milking robot Astronaut A5 Next
Introduction
The next step in milking
Transform your farm with the next step in milking. The Lely Astronaut is an evolution that incorporates everything we have learned during the past 30 years since we pioneered automatic milking. We took into consideration the needs of cows and our customers to create an enhanced cow- and farmer-friendly milking system.
Astronaut A5 Next USP's
Cow comfort
Achieve optimal comfort for your cows by letting them decide when to eat, drink, relax, or be milked. The hybrid arm, I-flow concept, teat detection system and the spacious design of the cow box contribute to a healthier cow and increase visiting behaviour.
Ease of use
The Astronaut is designed for cows and people, its user-friendly interface makes automatic milking easy to understand for everybody. The optional automatic milkfilter takes convenience to a next level. Stay in total control over your herd with cutting-edge management system, Horizon: decision support at your fingertips.
Reliability
Three decades of experience and farmers insights helped us to improve the Astronaut's reliability in every new edition. This can be seen in its robustness but experienced through the new operating system. This provides reliability through resilience, adaptability and protection.
Return on investment
When developing and testing a new edition of the Lely Astronaut, we pay a lot of attention to the total cost of ownership. We continuously monitor water and energy consumption, as well as the serviceability of components and systems.
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Features Lely Astronaut
Built on experience
Build on experience
More features automatic milking robot
The Astronaut A5 Next is built on more than 30 years of experience in dairy automation, over 50,000 installed robots and with user insights from thousands of dairy farmers from more than 40 countries. This experience gives us a leading edge in automatic milking systems, providing significant performance returns for dairy farms worldwide.
The A5 Next comes with a completely new operating system (AOS-2). It is a smart partner which makes you ready for future technology and developments as well. This completely renewed nerve system brings heightened resilience, adaptability, and digital protection. The AOS-2 will become smarter and smarter and will not only help you today but also in the future. Stay ahead of your future with the AOS-2.
The completely renewed Teat Detection System 2+ fosters optimal teat detection and connects like a farmer. It has an improved connection performance combining the focus of the laser with the wide view of the camera. It also provides insights into failed milkings for pro-active preventive and is ready for future innovations in comprehensive monitoring.
The automatic milk filter automates the task of changing the filter socks. It is safe, easy, convenient and reduces labour.
Helps to secure quality of colostrum. It comes with improved fly protection and is easy to use and clean. It provides a more gentle and safer handling of separated milk.
The Astronaut now also enables Eartag ID. The A5 Next provides entry-level identification for enhanced flexibility.
The important first touch. The healthier the udders, the better the milk. This is why the Astronaut is equipped with a unique brush cleaning system that is designed to remove encrusted dirt and manure around the teats and the underside of the udders, ultimately stimulating milk let-down. After cleaning the teats, the brushes are thoroughly disinfected to help minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
Milking robot
Free Cow Traffic
With free cow traffic, the cow decides when she eats, drinks, lies down and is milked. This improves her well being. By taking care of our cows and putting extra effort into cow comfort, we are able to extend lifetime milk production. Sufficient space in the barn will also give the cow the opportunity to display her natural behavior and improve her overall well being. Thanks to the I-flow concept cows feel comfortable. With the silent hybrid arm and improved teat detection system cow comfort is increased even more.
I-flow concept and hybrid arm
I-flow concept
The Astronaut's I-flow concept is designed with cow comfort in mind. Cows dislike obstacles, which is why the I-flow concept offers a straight route with unhindered entrance, leading cows to their milking turn with ease. The cows enter the milking unit naturally, with no need to navigate sharp corners. Also, the cow stays within the comfort of the herd. The simple, straight-line design in and out of the milking box minimises stress and makes milking a seamless part of their daily routine.
Hybrid arm
The hybrid arm combines fast, silent and accurate electrical-driven movements with the softness and the power of air for stress-free milking. The air protects the electrical system by balancing the heavy load of the arm and buffering cow kicks. The hybrid arm is silent, allowing cows to experience more rest during milking.
The process
Start-up and installation support milking robot
Before
Before the Astronaut comes into operation, we help you prepare your farm for automatic milking. This includes discussions on cow health, feeding, daily routines, Free Cow Traffic, and Partial Mixed Ratio feeding. We also provide training on robot operation and the associated management system.
01
During
When the Astronaut is installed, the robot is extensively checked. Together we go through the new routines and group the cows. Once every detail is accurate, milking begins. During the initial milking, we provide intensive support.
02
After
Once everything is up and running the start-up period ends and we begin with the next step to further optimise your farm according to your preferences. Together we will define which services will support you best.
03
Our customers
Testimonials milking robot
Lugli Fondo Spinosa
2x Astronaut A5 Next, 3x Astronaut A5, 8x Astronaut A4
There has been an undeniable, continuous improvement in the hardware and software, which has improved every aspect of milking.
David Cargill
Northern Ireland
Five months into robotic milking; we have more profit coming forward already.
Willard Wigboldus
2x Astronaut A5 Next
With the new operating system, I know that I am ready for the future.
Resources
Automatic milking robot
Download the Lely Astronaut brochure
Astronaut A5 Next
Discover the next step in milking. Download the brochure and receive more information.
Frequently asked questions
Questions farmers ask about the Lely Astronaut
Yes. With the right setup, like a Grazeway gate and a grazing plan, cows can go out to pasture and still return to the robot for milking. Many farms use AB or ABC grazing systems to support this. A portion of feed in the robot also encourages visits.
In many cases, the Lely Astronaut can also be integrated into existing barns, so that a completely new building is often not necessary. The key factors are sufficient space for the robot, and sufficient space for animal flow, like appropriate walking routes for the cows to the robot and to the feed fence. Existing barns are often modified to create optimal operations. A detailed on-site assessment will determine which structural modifications are appropriate for each specific situation.
The Lely Astronaut takes care of udder health by creating a milking for the cows in a calm and consistent way. Before milking, the teats are cleaned and the cow gets stimulated to produce oxytocin. Each cow is brushed on her own needs and milked based on her own milk flow. This in order to help reduce stress on the [CO1.1]teats by being milked longer than needed. After milking, the teats are sprayed automatically with an udder care product. At the same time, the robot keeps an eye on udder health, by measuring the conductivity of the milk and cell count of the individual cow to help you spot changes early. Together with good housing, hygiene, and daily management, this supports healthy udders on the farm.
Most farms run about 60 cows per robot, depending on herd size, production levels, and barn layout. Some farms run fewer, others more. It depends on your goals and how the system is managed.
Do I have to switch everything over at once? No. Some farms start with one robot and keep their parlour running during the transition. It’s possible to phase in robotic milking gradually, depending on your setup and preferences.
Media slider Astronaut pictures
Related solutions
Astronaut works well with
The Lely Astronaut robotic milking system is designed with a dedicated focus on optimum well‑being for both you and your herd. With this in mind, we offer a range of related products to complete your automated milking setup.
Flexible in milking
Producing high-quality milk requires time and care. It requires making choices that fit in with you and your goals. Our solutions for automatic milking help you make the right decisions to attain those goals.