Astronaut A5 Next vs Discovery Collector
Two robotic barn machines, one verified table. Every figure below is sourced and dated; vendor claims are labelled and kept apart from independent results.
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.Lely's free-navigating manure robot for solid and semi-closed barn floors — instead of scraping manure ahead of itself it vacuums the slurry into an onboard tank, spraying water at the front for better intake and at the back to leave grip on the floor. Dumping, wireless charging and water refilling happen at one central station; the C2 generation handles barns of up to roughly 120 cows and routes are managed from a mobile app.
Best for: Dairy barns with solid or semi-closed floors (including cross alleys and sorting-gate passages) that want manure removed rather than pushed — cleaner floors and hooves without floor channels or cables.| Astronaut A5 Next Verified 2026-07-16 | Discovery Collector Verified 2026-07-17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Task | Robotic barn | Robotic barn |
| Autonomy | Fully autonomous | Fully autonomous |
| Country of origin | Netherlands | Netherlands |
| Availability | Available now | Available now |
| EU market | CE-marked | CE-marked |
| Lead time | ~20 wk | Not disclosed |
| Last verified | 2026-07-16 | 2026-07-17 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power source | Mains electric · vacuum + compressed air | Battery, wireless charging pad at the central station |
| Required tractor power | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Dimensions | Single box ~3.5 × 2.5 m footprint | Compact low-profile unit sized to pass cross alleys and gate passages (exact dimensions not disclosed on product page) |
| Weight | Fixed installation | Not disclosed |
| Min farm size | 50 cows / unit | Sized per barn; C2 cleans barns up to ~120 cows |
| Productivity | ~60 cows per robot | Continuous route-based cleaning; ~60% driving / 40% charging duty cycle (C2) |
| Max speed | Not applicable | Not disclosed |
| Sensors | Laser + camera teat detection · milk MDi sensors · cow ID | Built-in sensors for autonomous route navigation — no cables, wires or gutters required |
| Price & model | ||
| Price (EUR) | €165,000 per unit, installed (indicative) | Not disclosed |
| Native price | €165,000 | Not disclosed |
| Business model | Buy · finance; national livestock-modernisation grants | Buy via the Lely Center dealer network |
| Ongoing cost | €4,500/yr service; consumables + energy | Electricity and water; wear parts; Lely Center service contract |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Milking labour −73% · vendor | Manure removal method Vacuum collection into onboard tank — manure removed, not displaced · vendor |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | CE marked | CE marked |
| Machinery Regulation | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (NL manufacturer); Swiss market access via CH–EU Mutual Recognition Agreement |
| CAP subsidy | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes; CH — cantonal structural-improvement credits may apply |
"—" 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.