So far the model has been tested using a GPS system attached to a sheep dog and a flock of sheep.
However, Federated Farmers is skeptical robotic sheepdogs could ever replace the real thing.
Its meat and fibre spokesman Rick Powdrell said it was unrealistic to believe a robot could predict the behaviour of a herd of sheep based on just two rules.
"At this time of the year, when sheep have got lambs, you will get some sheep that will stand up to the dog to the point of even chasing it - how's a robot going to handle that?
"Within a mob of sheep you will get animals that will behave differently, you get some sheep that are quite happy to lead and others which you call trailers.
"As well as keeping the back moving, dogs have to be controlling the sheep on the sides, leading them where you want them to go."
He said although it was an interesting study, it raised many issues.
"For starters there is a primordial instinctive connection between the two animals. How you stimulate that I have no idea."
Mr Powdrell also questioned a robot's endurance and ability to work across unforgiving terrain.
"After a few dog biscuits and water, dogs are ready to go, but since my smartphone struggles to get through a full day, the idea of a robotic dog running out of puff in the back blocks doesn't excite me.
"I don't think I have ever had to reboot one of my dogs either."
Mr Powdrell said drones had a significant future in agriculture, but didn't see the same future for robot sheepdogs.
"Our guys are increasingly using drones and autonomy may be massive for rural security, but that last element is for the future. Robotic dogs seem a bridge too far."
