Baidu confirms unmanned bicycles in development  

百度正研发无人驾驶自行车 可自动避开障碍物

(ECNS)-- China's search giant Baidu confirmed rumors on Thursday that it is developing unmanned bicycles, causing an online frenzy.

Zhang Liyuan, from Baidu's public relations department, said it is called a "smartbike." Using advanced intelligent sensors and big data analysis in the cloud, the bicycle will know the owner's requirements and health index, and will be able to drive by itself, she said.

Former reports had said that unmanned bicycles can sense the environment well enough to avoid obstacles, navigate complicated road conditions, and even identify their owners.

Baidu didn't reveal when the bicycles would become a reality, saying they have made a long-term plan and won't disclose it in the near future.

Reporters have found that baidubike.com was already registered on July 8 by a man surnamed Chen in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province.

China has the largest number of bike riders in the world. By the end of 2013, there were 551 million bicycles in the country, 181 million of which were electric.