A couple of firms (like Lely) already sell robotic muckscrapers, but this German-made Betebe unit sold by Triomec claims to be the widest yet.

It can operate at 1.2-2m widths and is designed for slatted floors. It follows the sides of the building at a rate of 4m/minute and docks itself automatically into a charging unit. A GPS-controlled version is due later this year.

Cost in Denmark is £8600, but the company says it expects to sell 50-100 this year in Denmark to farmers keen to reduce the time and labour cost of muck-shifting.