Internship: Robotics & Digital Twins – Build the Future of Autonomous Farming

Internship: Robotics & Digital Twins – Build the Future of Autonomous Farming

Do you want to build real robots and smart environments that redefine the future of farming? At Lely, we offer an exciting group internship where you’ll work on two breakthrough innovation assignments: the development of fully functional autonomous robots and a physical scaled model of a smart dairy farm—each supported by its own digital twin. These projects lay the groundwork for future research in AI, robotics, and simulation.

As part of this internship, you will specifically work with the Mirte Master robot—a scaled version of our autonomous Mirte platform—used to simulate realistic robot behavior within the physical farm model. This hands-on prototype interacts within the model farm’s dedicated zones (feeding, cleaning, etc.) and is digitally mirrored in a virtual twin environment.

A key component of the project is the implementation of a beamer-based projection system to visualize real-time data from sensors and the simulation directly onto the physical model. This immersive data feedback loop enhances both monitoring and system understanding.

You will work in a team of four students, collaborating closely on both physical and digital development. While it’s a group assignment, there is room for individual research within the project scope—ideal for students looking to align the internship with graduation or thesis work.

Your work will directly support our mission to create sustainable, intelligent solutions for dairy farmers worldwide. Ready to join the front lines of agricultural robotics innovation? Then this is your opportunity!

You will work on:

• Assemble physical robots based on a detailed bill of materials (BOM).
• Create a virtual twin of the robots in a 3D simulation environment (e.g., Unity3D).
• Develop a system to track the robot’s lifecycle: as designed, as built, and as maintained.
• Integrate real-time data streams into the digital model.
• (Optional) Expand the virtual environment with existing models of Mirte Pioneer robots.
• Construct a physical scaled model of a smart dairy farm with robot interaction zones (feeding, cleaning, etc.).
• Develop a digital twin of the farm, aligned with the physical layout (e.g., Unity3D).
• Implement a system to simulate and project real-time operational data onto the farm model using a beamer.
• Integrate sensor feedback and behavior data into the virtual environment for monitoring and control.

Wat is jouw ervaring?

You are a tech-savvy student with a hands-on mindset and a passion for robotics, simulation, or system design. You enjoy solving real-world problems and are excited by the idea of building both physical prototypes and virtual systems.

We are looking for talent who have the following qualities or experience:

• You are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s programme in Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or a related technical field.
• Experience or affinity with robotics platforms, mechanical assembly, or 3D modeling.
• Familiarity with simulation environments like Unity3D, Gazebo, or similar tools is a strong plus.
• Basic programming skills (e.g., Python, C++, or C#).
• You are collaborative, proactive, and eager to learn.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Wat bieden wij jou?

At Lely, we offer you an educational and dynamic internship experience at one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You’ll become part of a driven team and have plenty of opportunities to further develop your talents.

• An international working environment
• An internship allowance of €400 per month
• A student apartment if your commute is too long
• Our modern Lely Campus gives you daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, a basketball and volleyball court, as well as table tennis and foosball. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training – and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
• Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our in-house barista, made with milk straight from our farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant.
• A free shuttle bus takes you to and from the metro station in Maassluis, ensuring your workday starts and ends smoothly.
• We’re also proud that our dedication and vision have been recognized with the Rotterdam Entrepreneur Award 2025!

Over Lely

Lely, founded in 1948, is committed to a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future in farming. Taking the challenges of the farmer and the needs of the cow as our starting point, we develop high-quality robots and data systems that improve animal welfare, flexibility, and productivity on dairy farms. Our goal is to support sustainable food production.

For over 30 years, we have been a global leader in the sales and service of automated systems for successive generations of dairy farmers. Every day, we inspire our colleagues to offer customers innovative solutions and to be a reliable partner for long-term advice and support. With our state-of-the-art Lely Campus in Maassluis and a global network of dedicated Lely Centers for customized sales and service, Lely operates in more than fifty countries.