Overview
Melkens is a technology provider dedicated to modernising cattle farming through automation. The company focuses on developing automated systems, such as the MOOver feed pusher, designed to enhance animal welfare and optimize farm operating costs. The main customers are cattle farmers looking to automate daily operations. Melkens' solutions address the need for reducing labor costs and minimising animal stress, which directly cause drops in milk production. Melkens aimed to ensure that their automated solutions were completely safe for livestock. Additionally, they wanted to guarantee full compliance with current European robotics and AI regulatory standards before widespread market adoption.
Poland
- Livestock farming
The challenge
While the MOOver feed pusher had already been herd-tested, some challenges related to radio signal stability still affected navigation. Melkens sought to test multiple hardware improvements in parallel to choose most robust solution.
In addition, complex AI and robotics safety regulations were highlighted as an area requiring additional analysis, as without external expertise the validation needed for commercial confidence remained limited.
The agrifoodTEF service
Melkens utilised two core services: Physical Edge-HW Benchmark and Policy Lab. The first phase of services concluded within three weeks, while the second phase was completed in six weeks.
The collaboration began with a technical alignment workshop to co-design a roadmap for testing and regulatory analysis. Real-world, on-site testing was conducted directly within the herd environment to evaluate sensors, signal stability, and navigation. Concurrently, experts analyzed EU regulations for AI-based agricultural machinery, delivering a compliance matrix and conformity template. The agrifoodTEF team acted as a validation partner. They provided technical insights into sensor performance and precise guidance on legal frameworks, empowering Melkens to make informed engineering adjustments.
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The impact
Ultimately, the testing provided Melkens with the data needed to make an informed technology choice and refine their approach. The validation process delivered the clarity required to transform their prototype into a more robust system and de-risk further development. Melkens has since entered a second phase of collaboration with agrifoodTEF, focusing on conformity assessments and compliance testing to ensure future updates meet all relevant legal and industrial standards.
