3 The ‘robot milkmaid’ can milk between 60 and 100 cows a day. Computer-controlled gates activated by transmitters around the cows’ necks allow the cows to enter. The machine then checks their health, connects them to the milking machine and feeds them while they are being milked. If illness is detected in any cow, or if the machine for some reason fails to connect the milking cups to the cow after five attempts, automatic gates divert the cow into a special pen where the farmer can inspect it later. Finally, the machine ushers the cows out of the system. It also self-cleans periodically and can detect and reject any impure milk. Rather than herding all the cows in a ‘batch’ to the milking machine twice a day, the system relies on the cows being able to find their own way to the machine.

Once they have been shown the way to the machine a few times, they go there of their own volition.

The cows may make the journey to the machine three or more times per day.

(a) What advantages do you think this technology gives?

(b) Do you think the cows mind?

(c) There is some anecdotal evidence that farmers still go to watch the process. Why do you think this is?