While schools and some places of work experienced snow days due to the blistering cold and snow of the Polar Vortex that recently hit parts of the United States, the University of Michigan decided to test how its bipedal robot Cassie performed in the intense cold weather.

Researchers tested Cassie for more than one hour of continuous operation in temperatures of -8° F on campus. The goal was to show that while humans are struggling with extreme weather patterns, robots can — at least for a short period of time — withstand this weather to accomplish tasks humans may not.

Cassie was introduced to the public last year with the ability to sit, squat and crouch. The robot was built to be used in search and rescue missions or in dangerous areas where humans can’t reach or shouldn't reach. The 66 lb, 3.25 ft robot is built so that it can walk unassisted on rough or uneven terrain.

As extreme weather patterns are likely to continue given the rise of climate change, robot proliferation may be a way to get work done while humans remain safe. Cassie has already been tested in hot environments as well, with the University of Michigan testing the robot in fire during a controlled burn last year.

The full hour of Cassie versus the polar vortex can be found on Youtube.