An apparatus (10) for recognizing and determining the position of at least one teat cup (401, 402, 403, 404) of at least one teat cup magazine (42, 421, 422). The apparatus (10) emits waves (20) into a region (A) which is expected to contain a teat cup or teat cups (401, 402, 403, 404). The apparatus (10) also includes a detector (260) for detecting reflections of the waves (20). The apparatus (10) also includes a unit (24) for evaluating the reflections in order to determine if the reflections originate from the teat cup or cups (401, 402, 403, 404). Furthermore, the apparatus (10) also includes a unit (26) for determining the position of the teat cup or cups (401, 402, 403, 404) if it is established that the reflections originate from the teat cup (401, 402, 403, 404).