A process for locating an object, in particular a teat of a cow within an operation range using a sensor matrix (10) of a milking robot. This process is characterized in that the location identified using the sensor matrix (10) is checked for plausibility during the locating process and in the event of an implausible location, a separate diagnostic step is carried out.

An apparatus for performing animal related operations includes a robot arm movable in response to a controller, the robot arm being provided with a gripper for gripping an animal related device. A sensor is adapted to establish a location of the animal related device.

An implement for automatically milking animals, such as cows, comprising a robotic mechanism, two computers each having a display screen and keyboard, the implement having a plurality of exchangeable parts provided with signally means to transmit information when an exchangeable part is malfunctioning, the signalling means also identifying the malfunctioning part on one of the display screens of a computer. An emergency electrical battery is provided at an individual parlor containing the implement for providing electrical power in the event of failure of the main power, a computer being provided for closing down non-vital functions in the event of such power failure or of malfunctioning of the parts or parts concerned. The set of teat cups which are automatically installed and removed from the farm animal being milked can also be individually installed manually on the animal's teats, and a second set of teat cups for similar manual installation and removal is also provided, including conduits for pulsating the teat cups connected to a vacuum source, and for conveying milk received in the teat cups to a receptacle.

An arrangement for the automatic application of milking apparatus to a milk animal including a milking apparatus store, a milking apparatus handling device including a milking apparatus carrier movable on the device and a teat sensor on the handling device together with at least one animal position sensor and a control unit responsive to the animal and teat sensors to operate the handling device, the arrangement being such that when an animal is sensed to be in milking position the control unit operates the handling device to take milking apparatus for a teat of the animal from the store in the carrier to a specific teat with the carrier moved to a sideways offset at a selected angle to the device and the teat sensor in range of the teat.

An apparatus for automatically moving at least one animal related item in relation to the body of an animal comprises a position indicator adapted to be applied to at least one teat of the udder, a sensor adapted to sense a position of the position indicator, a controller adapted to be responsive to a signal from the sensor regarding the position, and an actuator adapted to move the animal related item in relation to the body in response to a signal from the controller. The invention also relates to a method for automatically moving at least one animal related item in relation to the body of an animal.