Barn-E PRO vs Astronaut Max
Two robotic barn machines, one verified table. Every figure below is sourced and dated; vendor claims are labelled and kept apart from independent results.
Manure robot for solid barn floors from Dutch manure-handling specialist JOZ — a low 68 cm collector that carries the manure it gathers (350 or 500 litres depending on push width) instead of pushing a growing heap, navigating unlimited programmable routes via floor transponders. Connected to the JOZ Management System for 24/7 remote monitoring with SMS obstacle alerts; JOZ pitches the PRO generation as its most powerful robot for intensive conditions, coping with straw bedding up to 6 cm.
Best for: Dairy barns with solid floors and demanding conditions (straw bedding, long routes) wanting collected manure and precise transponder-guided routes with remote monitoring.Centralised milking architecture for large herds (announced August 2025) — up to 18 Astronaut robots share one control room for vacuum, cleaning, cooling and long-distance milk transport.
Best for: Dairy farms of 500–1,100 cows wanting robot milking without one full utility set per box.| Barn-E PRO Verified 2026-07-17 | Astronaut Max Verified 2026-07-16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Task | Robotic barn | Robotic barn |
| Autonomy | Fully autonomous | Fully autonomous |
| Country of origin | Netherlands | Netherlands |
| Availability | Available now | Pilot / limited |
| EU market | CE-marked | CE-marked |
| Lead time | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Last verified | 2026-07-17 | 2026-07-16 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power source | 2 × 12 V sealed batteries in series; 24 V / max 25 A charger, max 2 h charge | Mains electric · centralised vacuum, cleaning and cooling units |
| Required tractor power | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Dimensions | 68 cm high (70 cm minimum headroom); push width 155 cm or 185 cm | Central control room + in-barn robot boxes (layout-specific) |
| Weight | Not disclosed | Fixed installation |
| Min farm size | Sized per barn; ~550 m² (standard) to ~700 m² (extra-wide) per robot at 2-hour cleaning intervals | 500 cows |
| Productivity | Up to 11 duty hours per 24 h at ~50/50 drive-charge cycle; 350 l (standard) or 500 l (extra-wide) manure capacity | Up to 18 connected Astronaut robots · 500–1,100 cows |
| Max speed | 6.5 m/min | Not applicable |
| Sensors | Floor transponders for route guidance; obstacle detection with SMS alerts | Astronaut robot sensor suite · centralised system monitoring |
| Price & model | ||
| Price (EUR) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Native price | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Business model | Buy via JOZ and certified dealers | Phased commercial rollout from 2026; validation farms since 2023–2024 |
| Ongoing cost | Electricity; battery and wear parts; dealer service | Service contract via Lely Center; consumables centralised |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Manure handling on solid floors Autonomous collection on unlimited transponder-guided routes, up to 11 h/day · vendor | — No verified outcome |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | CE marked | CE marking expected at commercial rollout; system in validation |
| Machinery Regulation | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (NL manufacturer) | To conform with Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 at market placement |
| CAP subsidy | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes | Livestock-modernisation schemes typically apply; confirm per member state at rollout |
"—" 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.