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

    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

    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

    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.

  • Lower cost of ownership

    Lower cost of ownership

    The Lely Astronaut is built to realize a significant lower cost per kilogram of milk produced. Thanks to smart, state of the art technique and the unique hybrid robot arm it helps you to produce high-quality milk at a low cost price.

Video

This is how the Astronaut works

Build on experience

Explore our new features

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.

AOS - 2 Astronaut A5 Next

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.

New Astronaut A5 Next teat detection system

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. 

Automatic Milk Filter for Astronaut

The automatic milk filter automates the task of changing the filter socks. It is safe, easy, convenient and reduces labour.

Milk for Use for Astronaut

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.

Eartag ID for Astronaut

The Astronaut now also enables Eartag ID. The A5 Next provides entry-level identification for enhanced flexibility.

Pre Treatment Brush unit for Astronaut

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.

AOS - 2 Astronaut A5 Next
New Astronaut A5 Next teat detection system
Automatic Milk Filter for Astronaut
Milk for Use for Astronaut
Eartag ID for Astronaut
Pre Treatment Brush unit for Astronaut

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.

Brochure download

Download the latest brochure

Download the brochure and learn everything about our milking robot.

    • Brochure

    Astronaut A5 Next

    Download the Astronaut A5 Next brochure and learn everything about our milking robot.
Explore the

Astronaut

I-Flow

For optimal visit behavior, the Astronaut's I-Flow system offers a natural way of milking, with a cow-friendly design. Cows can enter the Astronaut easily, simply by walking straight ahead. She stays within the comfort of the herd.

Hybrid arm

The hybrid arm of the Astronaut creates a silent, relaxed environment for cows to be milked. Its movements are electrically driven, without the use of air, which means a huge gain in energy efficiency.

Cleaning with brushes

For optimal hygiene and stimulation, brushes clean the teats and the underside of the udder. The tactile cleaning of the teats with brushes offers the best stimulation for the milk‑let‑down response.

Consistent attaching

Fast, consistent and accurate connecting is more relaxing for the cow. That’s why a milking robot is more suitable for milking than a human. A three‑layer laser system delivers the most accurate teat‑position information.

Intuitive user interface

With a friendly design of the intuitive user interface, you will find it remarkably easy to find your way around functions, settings, information, and reports.

Build on experience

Milking solution

Astronaut

This automatic milking system is designed with the cow in mind, offering the most natural way to milk. The I-flow concept, hybrid arm, and teat detection system contribute to smooth and quick milking for all cows in the herd, resulting in a new milestone in cow comfort.

 

Our customers

Testimonials

Hear their story in these video's below.

Disclaimer: Results have not been verified by Lely or an independent party. Your results may vary.

Farmer Lugli in a barn

Italy

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.
Farmer Cargill next to cows in a barn

Northern Ireland

David Cargill

4x Astronaut A5 Next (Eartag versions)

Five months into robotic milking; we have more profit coming forward already.
Farmer Wigboldus in front of the new Astronaut

The Netherlands

Willard Wigboldus

2x Astronaut A5 Next

With the new operating system, I know that I am ready for the future.

The process

Start-up support: every step of the way

  • 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

Media slider Astronaut pictures

Lely Astronaut A5 Next with cow in front of it
A cow's teats being detected by an automated milking machine for attachment.
product picture of a Lely Astronaut
Lely advisor and farmer standing in front of the new Astronaut
A cow standing in a Lely Astronaut A5 Next

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.