Baidu, China’s largest search engine, has recently announced its new virtual reality platform XiRang in a press release. According to Baidu, XiRang will be “the first Chinese-made metaverse product” and will be officially launching the platform on December 27.
XiRang can be accessed via mobile phones, laptops and VR wearable devices such as Pico VR. Users will be allowed to customize avatars, interact with other players, build their own worlds, and host events inside the platform.
With live audio chatrooms, graphic effects, and interactive sound, XiRang can conduct events with up to 100,000 guests. According to XiRang’s official website, brands and businesses are encouraged to create their own themed virtual places and activities on the platform. To showcase that function of XiRang, Baidu will host its “Create 2021”, an annual AL developer conference in XiRang.
Currently, there is a beta version available for download on XiRang’s website. Immediately after Baidu’s announcement, the current version of XiRang sparked discussion on social media platforms such as Weibo. Chinese netizens and industry critics commented on the lack of sophistication, awkward movement of avatars, and the narrow range of functions available.
XiRang has already hosted a virtual art exhibition, featuring Chinese artist Feng Tang’s drawings and calligraphy works. The exhibition features a minimalist aesthetic and provides no interactive functions besides navigating users’ avatars to “walk around” the virtual space.
The metaverse industry is still in early developmental and exploratory stages, according to Ma Jie, Baidu’s Vice President and Xirang’s manager. “We need a community and a long time to build it,” he said.
According to Baidu, it has regarded the metaverse as the next direction of internet and technology application development, and has deepened its investment in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, increasing core R&D expenses to 21.4% this year. Baidu hopes to cooperate with more industry players to make manifest metaverse concepts into real life applications.
Baidu launched a "XiRang Cup" last month, calling all companies, individual developers and digital artists to submit VR projects to Baidu. Winners would be rewarded with up to 300,000 yuan as well as collaboration opportunities with Baidu.