Baidu Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Baidu AI Cloud has launched an innovative AI sign language platform, XiLing, designed to create digital avatars for sign language translation and interpretation, addressing communication barriers for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This platform will debut during the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics. It includes all-in-one AI sign language translators, optimized for various public service environments, significantly improving accessibility.

With China hosting 27.8 million DHH individuals but only 10,000 qualified translators, the XiLing platform promises to enhance communication, particularly in medical and legal contexts.

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) reported its Q4 2021 and fiscal year results, highlighting a 19% year-over-year revenue growth to RMB 124.5 billion (US$19.54 billion). Notably, non-advertising revenues surged 71%. Despite this growth, operating income fell by 27% to RMB 10.5 billion (US$1.65 billion), and net income decreased 54% to RMB 10.2 billion (US$1.61 billion). However, Baidu's AI Cloud and autonomous driving services showed strong momentum, with Apollo Go rides nearly doubling in Q4. The company remains committed to shareholder returns with US$615 million repurchased in Q4.

Baidu's Apollo Go has launched trial operations of its autonomous robotaxi service in Shenzhen's Nanshan District, marking the seventh city in China for these services. Users can hail rides from around 50 stations during daily operating hours of 9am to 5pm, with plans to expand to over 300 stations by year-end. Baidu aims to dominate the autonomous driving sector, targeting expansion to 65 cities by 2025. The latest robotaxi model, Apollo Moon, has a manufacturing cost of 480,000 RMB. This initiative underscores Baidu's commitment to leading intelligent transportation transformation in China.

Baidu, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIDU) announced it will disclose its financial results for Q4 and FY 2021 on March 1, 2022, before U.S. market opens. The earnings conference call will commence at 7:30 AM ET (8:30 PM Beijing Time). Participants must register in advance to obtain dial-in numbers and access codes. The call and subsequent replay will be available on Baidu's investor relations website. Founded in 2000, Baidu continues to focus on simplifying technology through its AI capabilities.

Baidu's electric vehicle unit, JIDU, has successfully raised nearly $400 million in Series A financing, with backing from Baidu and Geely. This funding will accelerate R&D and mass production of JIDU's Robocar, set to debut in April 2022 at the Beijing Auto Show and launch in 2023. JIDU, founded in March 2021, has gained recognition for its rapid development and plans to enhance its talent pool in advanced autonomous driving and smart manufacturing. CEO Yiping Xia emphasized the commitment to delivering innovative products that redefine transportation.

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) and IDC released China's first white paper on AI's role in achieving the 'Dual Carbon' goals. The report estimates AI technologies could reduce over 35 billion tons of carbon emissions by 2060. Highlighting the importance of technology in carbon neutrality, Baidu plans to leverage AI in transportation, aiming to cut urban transport emissions by over 70 million tons by 2030. The white paper indicates that AI's contribution to carbon reduction could reach 70% by 2060. Baidu aims for carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030, focusing on various strategic areas.

Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) launched its annual developers' conference, Baidu Create 2021, focusing on its metaverse app XiRang. The event marks China's first metaverse technology symposium, attended by 100,000 online participants. CEO Robin Li emphasized AI's transformative potential across industries, particularly in intelligent transportation, which he predicts will alleviate urban congestion and reduce traffic accidents by 90%. Baidu also introduced XiLing, a digital avatar platform, and highlighted its PaddlePaddle deep-learning platform with over 4 million developers.

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) will host its inaugural metaverse conference, Baidu Create, on December 27. The event, accessible to 100,000 online participants, will feature esteemed speakers and discussions on key areas like AI, autonomous driving, and quantum computing. Attendees can engage in a virtual environment using avatars to experience iconic Chinese landmarks. The event will be streamed live on Baidu's YouTube channel, showcasing the company's technological advances and innovations.