(Yicai Global) May 17 -- Xiaodu Technology launched its education-oriented artificial-intelligence-powered mobile phone for teenagers today, as the AI arm of Chinese internet giant Baidu extends its footprint in the education hardware sector.

Presales will start on e-commerce platform JD.com from May 22, the Beijing-based firm said, confirming a previous report by Yicai Global.

Called Xiaodu Qinghe, the cellphone is equipped with a large language learning model that acts as an image-based exercise solver, a tutor of essay writing in Chinese and English and a conversational partner. It comes installed with numerous free learning resources, over 1,000 digital textbooks and more than 30,000 classes of a wide range of subjects, as well as Baidu maps.

A leading developer of conversational AI systems and smart screens, Xiaodu is already the leading player in the country’s learning tablet market. It has released three products since 2021, namely the Xiaodu smart learning tablet, the Xiaodu large-screen eye-protection learning tablet and the Xiaodu safety eye-protection learning tablet.

Xiaodu is a key part of Baidu’s AI strategy and mainly produces smart speakers, smart headphones, smart learning tablets, hotel delivery robots and fitness training mirrors. The spinoff of Baidu’s smart life business group has held several rounds of financing so far, giving it a market valuation of CNY35.5 billion (USD5.1 billion).

Editor: Kim Taylor