A new autonomous feeding robot from German firm GEA is set to be unveiled at the EuroTier show in Hanover next month.

The fully electric DairyFeed F4500 is capable of feeding herds of up to 300 cows, and uses a series of laser scanners to map out travel routes across the farmyard.

See also: Solar-powered robot drills and weeds on Shropshire farm

The machine can be programmed to create feed mixes for individual herd groups and cycles, and can be set to deliver this at a particular time.

It collects the components of the feed mix from bunkers, then weighs, mixes and distributes it at up to 2.2cu m/hour.

Slopes and inclines of up to 10% are easily manageable, and the maker says it can map obstacles, barns and buildings, so no major yard adjustments need to be made.

As part of the DairyNet herd management system, the F4500 can also be monitored and controlled in real time via a mobile app.

It will initially be available across France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Sweden, but a global launch is expected in 2023.