Pics du jour

🤖🎻 In a likely world first, a robot played cello in a symphony orchestra performance. Researcher and composer Fredrik Gran programmed a pair of industrial robotic arms to play the cello alongside the Malmo Symphony Orchestra in Sweden earlier this month. The complex technological feat was accomplished by one of the arms guiding the bow across the cello’s four strings, while the other arm used a custom appendage to manipulate its fretboard.

🇨🇳🛰️ China provided a rare glimpse into its secretive new Tiangong space station. Chinese astronauts on board Tiangong gave an extensive tour of the station, in an uncommon and surprisingly detailed new video posted by Chinese state-owned news agency CCTV. In less than two years, China has assembled three modules of its new space station, which came about after the country was excluded from the ISS in 2011. Tiangong’s construction comes as the aging ISS is slated for deorbit in 2030.

⚾ World Series: The Yankees staved off elimination last night in Game 4 vs. the Dodgers. The Yanks earned their first 2024 World Series victory last night, behind a grand slam from shortstop Anthony Volpe (and despite some…rather involved fan interference on a Mookie Betts catch☝️). The Dodgers now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 heading into Game 5 in NYC tonight.