Astronaut A5 Next vs Triomatic
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.Modular automatic feeding system from Dutch feed-mixer specialist Trioliet — a feed kitchen (T10–T40 variants, from stationary mixers to feed floors for silage blocks and bales) supplies a robot that mixes and distributes rations around the clock. Robots come suspended, battery-powered or wheel-driven; the wheel-driven WP 2 300 carries a 3 m³ chamber with two vertical stainless-steel augers and a dual-side discharge belt, powered continuously from an overhead rail so it never runs out of battery. Dual-Flow mixing handles batches from roughly 60 kg.
Best for: Dairy and beef farms wanting a full automatic-feeding chain (storage, mixing, distribution) from one supplier, with feed-kitchen options matching how you store forage — bunkers, blocks, or bales.| Astronaut A5 Next Verified 2026-07-16 | Triomatic 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 | All-electric; wheel-driven WP robot fed continuously from overhead power rail (2 × 40 A, 400 V) — no battery depletion |
| Required tractor power | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Dimensions | Single box ~3.5 × 2.5 m footprint | WP 2 300 robot: ~3.6 m long × 1.37 m wide; min feeding-alley width ~2.57 m |
| Weight | Fixed installation | ~2,250 kg net (WP 2 300), max payload ~1,250 kg |
| Min farm size | 50 cows / unit | Not disclosed |
| Productivity | ~60 cows per robot | 3 m³ mixing volume; Dual-Flow mixing accurate down to ~60 kg batches; feeds around the clock |
| Max speed | Not applicable | Not disclosed |
| Sensors | Laser + camera teat detection · milk MDi sensors · cow ID | Track-guided/rail-referenced navigation; weighing for ration accuracy |
| 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 Trioliet dealer network |
| Ongoing cost | €4,500/yr service; consumables + energy | Electricity; auger and conveyor wear parts; dealer service contract |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Milking labour −73% · vendor | Feeding frequency Multiple fresh, group-specific rations around the clock · vendor |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | CE marked | CE marked |
| Machinery Regulation | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (NL manufacturer) |
| CAP subsidy | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes | 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.