Daily briefing
November 3, 2026
3 stories · about 3 minutes
Robots race up Mount Tai's 3,100 stone steps in China's first mountain contest
The inaugural CMG World Robot Mount Tai Competition sent legged and humanoid robots up a real mountain trail. A Unitree robot dog won the legged race in 43 minutes and 41 seconds.
- The first CMG World Robot Mount Tai Competition ended on Monday, November 2, in Tai'an, Shandong province, on a course of more than 3,100 stone steps.
- A Unitree robot dog, run by Beijing Lingyi Technology, won the legged race in 43 minutes and 41 seconds.
- The humanoid race was shortened to the stretch from Hongmen Square to Doumu Palace, and the Zhishen Lingyue team won it in 27 minutes and 26 seconds.
- Robots slipped sideways, lost their gait after cargo swaps and strained their batteries and motor cooling, which shows how far outdoor work still is.
Why it matters: Dozens of Chinese teams raced legged and humanoid robots up more than 3,100 stone steps on Mount Tai in the first contest of its kind on a UNESCO World Heritage mountain. A Unitree robot dog won the legged race in 43 minutes and 41 seconds, and a humanoid team won its shortened race in 27 minutes and 26 seconds. Robots wobbled, overheated and drained batteries on real stairs. Organizers say the data will guide robots for inspection and rescue.
Read the full story →Apple posts record $114.5 billion quarter, then warns of slower growth
Apple's September quarter revenue rose 12% on iPhone, Mac and Services records, but its stock slid after hours as executives talked memory costs and shortages.
- Apple reported $114.5 billion in revenue for the quarter ended September 26, 2026, up 12% from a year ago, with earnings of $2.10 per share.
- iPhone revenue rose 17% and Mac revenue rose 24%, while iPad fell 10% and Wearables, Home and Accessories fell 8%.
- Services, such as the App Store and iCloud, hit an all-time high of $31.6 billion, and the full fiscal year reached $478.8 billion.
- Apple expects its biggest quarter ever for the holidays, but with slower growth, lower profit margins and continued Mac and iPad shortages.
Why it matters: Apple reported $114.5 billion in revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter, up 12%, with record September-quarter iPhone sales and an all-time high in Services. Earnings were $2.10 a share, helped slightly by tariff refunds. Fiscal 2026 revenue reached a record $478.8 billion. Apple expects its biggest quarter ever for the holidays, but with slower growth, thinner margins and ongoing shortages.
Read the full story →Agility Robotics clears its SPAC vote and heads to Nasdaq this week
Churchill Capital XI shareholders approved the merger with Agility Robotics. The humanoid maker expects about $465 million and a Nasdaq listing as AGLT on November 5.
- More than 84% of votes cast at Churchill Capital Corp XI's November 2 meeting approved the merger with Agility Robotics.
- Agility expects about $465 million in gross capital, down from more than $620 million when the deal was announced in June.
- The deal is expected to close on November 4, with trading on Nasdaq under AGLT starting November 5.
- Agility says Digit is working in 9 customer sites and that it holds more than $300 million in committed multi-year orders for Digit 5.
Why it matters: Shareholders of the shell company Churchill Capital Corp XI approved its merger with humanoid robot maker Agility Robotics, with more than 84% of votes in favor. Agility expects about $465 million in gross capital, less than the $620 million first projected, because some investors took their money back. The deal is expected to close on November 4. The combined company should begin trading on Nasdaq as AGLT on November 5.
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