System and method for milking a group of dairy animals

A system for milking a group of milking animals, comprising:

• an accommodation space for the milking animals, the accommodation space being stationary and comprising a fixed floor,
• a milk storage tank placed at a fixed position outside the accommodation space,
• a plurality of milking stations each arranged at a fixed position relative to the fixed floor and next to each other, wherein the milking stations each comprise an entry opening for entry of a milking animal from the accommodation space to said milking station,
• an animal-free space which is closed for the milking animals in the accommodation space and extends adjacent to the milking stations,
• an automatic milking system for automatic milking of milking animals, wherein the milking system comprises milking cups and a robot device which is movable relative to the milking stations such that in each milking station, by means of the robot device, milking cups can be connected automatically to the teats of a milking animal present in said milking station and,
• a milk discharge system which comprises at least one flexible milk line, wherein the milking cups are connected to the milk storage tank by means of the milk discharge system, and
• and wherein the flexible milk line is configured such that the robot device can move from the animal-free space to each of the milking stations while the milk line remains connected to the robot device.