OptiDuo Robotic Feed Refresher vs Astronaut A5 Next
Two robotic barn machines, one verified table. Every figure below is sourced and dated; vendor claims are labelled and kept apart from independent results.
DeLaval's robotic feed pusher-and-remixer — unlike plain pushers, a twin-spiralled rotating auger remixes the ration while repositioning it at the feed fence, keeping roughage strands intact so refused compacted feed stays appetising. Adaptive Drive adjusts speed and track to feed type and quantity; runs around the clock, up to 10 trips a day. Direct competitor to the Lely Juno.
Best for: Robotic-milking or free-stall dairy herds that want feed pushed AND remixed 24/7 — especially where compressed, sorted-through TMR is depressing intake at the fence.Robotic milking system — cows milk on their own schedule around the clock; the A5 Next (June 2025) adds a new OS with over-the-air updates, laser+camera teat detection and an automatic milk filter.
Best for: Dairy herds of 50–120 cows seeking to cut milking labour and lift yield per cow.| OptiDuo Robotic Feed Refresher Verified 2026-07-16 | Astronaut A5 Next Verified 2026-07-16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Task | Robotic barn | Robotic barn |
| Autonomy | Fully autonomous | Fully autonomous |
| Country of origin | Sweden | Netherlands |
| Availability | Available now | Available now |
| EU market | CE-marked | CE-marked |
| Lead time | Not disclosed | ~20 wk |
| Last verified | 2026-07-16 | 2026-07-16 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power source | Battery-electric, self-charging at docking station | Mains electric · vacuum + compressed air |
| Required tractor power | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Dimensions | Not disclosed | Single box ~3.5 × 2.5 m footprint |
| Weight | Not disclosed | Fixed installation |
| Min farm size | Not disclosed | 50 cows / unit |
| Productivity | Up to 10 feed-alley trips per day, 24/7 operation; multiple barns and varying alley widths supported | ~60 cows per robot |
| Max speed | Not disclosed | Not applicable |
| Sensors | Obstruction sensors — stops automatically for people or animals and resumes when clear | Laser + camera teat detection · milk MDi sensors · cow ID |
| Price & model | ||
| Price (EUR) | Not disclosed | €165,000 per unit, installed (indicative) |
| Native price | Not disclosed | €165,000 |
| Business model | Buy via DeLaval dealer network; installation with charging/docking station | Buy · finance; national livestock-modernisation grants |
| Ongoing cost | Dealer service contract; battery and wear parts | €4,500/yr service; consumables + energy |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Feed weigh-back (refusals) Weigh-back reduced to ~1% with up to 10 trips/day · vendor | Milking labour −73% · vendor |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | CE marked as a DeLaval barn machine | CE marked |
| Machinery Regulation | Placed on the EU market by DeLaval under the EU machinery regime; CH access via CH–EU Mutual Recognition Agreement | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 |
| CAP subsidy | Eligible under rural-development livestock modernisation schemes in several member states | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes |
"—" means the manufacturer has not disclosed the figure; we never estimate silently. Model either machine's payback with your own numbers on its ROI calculator page.