A rare bird has landed at the University of Michigan: a two-legged robot named "Cassie" that researchers hope could be the forerunner of a machine that one day will aid search-and-rescue efforts. Although other institutions have acquired similar models, Michigan's team is excited to use its version to put Michigan Robotics' cutting-edge programming to the test, said Jessy Grizzle, director of Michigan Robotics. For now, Grizzle and some of his students are putting Cassie through her paces on and around Michigan's Ann Arbor campus. We will now focus on implementing our super-cool latest stuff," Grizzle said. ———Online:Cassie: http://www.agilityrobotics.com/robots/University of Michigan Robotics: https://robotics.umich.edu/———Sign up for the AP's weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas: —http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv

Source: ABC News October 30, 2017 18:45 UTC