Tīrau Family Goes Robotic With Two GEA DairyRobots
Installing two GEA DairyRobots R9500s marks a major step in the Coubrough family’s journey towards a more automated, future-ready farming operation.
Earlier this year, the global leader in milking technology, partnered with an agricultural start-up to introduce a revolutionary walkover teat sprayer to New Zealand farmers. Developed with the aim of reducing labour requirements and getting the most accurate teat spray coverage, this advanced artificial intelligence-driven system is a game changer for New Zealand farms, it says.
The partnership began at Fieldays 2023 when AgriAI founders Benedict Johnson and Chris Scherman presented their innovative concept for an AI-powered walkover teat spray system at the Innovation Hub. Recognising the potential of this technology, GEA’s product & technology and innovation teams established a formal partnership with AgriAI, which led to the development of the iSPRAY-VISION system.
GEA says the initial prototype was trialled on the Johnson’s family farm in the Coromandel, serving as a practical test for the technology. Once the partnership with GEA was established, and development was in progress, the first commercial trial unit was installed in March 2024. Two additional trial systems were deployed later that year. During this period, the walkover system underwent rigorous testing under various conditions before its official market release in January 2025.
The launch of the iSPRAY-VISION offers farmers a walkover teat sprayer solution that delivers reliable and effective results, it says.
“The AI camera tracks the actual body mass of the cow and her speed in real time, meaning the udder position can be accurately determined. This allows the system to control the exact timing and duration of teat spray, ensuring consistent coverage while minimising wastage.
“As the system tracks the cow’s actual movement, behaviours such as pushing (‘truck & trailer’) and fast-moving cows all receive complete coverage no matter the situation.
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“The walkover unit itself features four spray nozzles, designed to achieve complete teat spray coverage of both the front and back teats of moving cows. The low-profile ‘T’ design also allows the cows to comfortably walk over the unit, encouraging smooth cow flow. Additionally, the system washes the spray nozzles at regular intervals to avoid blockages.
“Now in use on farms across New Zealand, the iSPRAY-VISION is proving itself to be a worthwhile investment. It’s saving farmers valuable time during milking and reducing labour requirements. The precise teat spray application has also contributed to improved udder health, with results showing reductions in cases of mastitis and lower somatic cell counts.”
