Chinese search engine giant Baidu has launched Baidu Blockchain Engine (BBE), an operating system for the development of decentralized applications (DApps).
Officially announced by Baidu Cloud on February 14, the new platform is built on “ABC” technology strategy by leveraging functionalities of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cloud computing.
The cloud computing unit of Baidu claims that the platform will allow developers to build decentralized apps simply like mobile apps.
The company believes that the new platform will drive the commercial development of blockchain technology, impacting a broad landscape of blockchain products. The cloud-based platform also addresses the infrastructural shortcomings like inefficient single-machine storage, high data storage costs, and computing bottlenecks in the present blockchain development platforms.
BBE will provide the DApp developers multiple services like multi-chain and middle-tier frameworks, along with templets for smart contracts and DApps. Baidu Cloud also outlines that the developers have maintained a strict security policy as the platform provides various mechanisms for data security and privacy protection.
According to the announcement, the Baidu Blockchain Lab has designed the platform primarily based on six functions - trusted computing environment, high performance, and high throughput, scalable storage, cross-chain trusted interaction, general intelligent contract, and contract security audit.
In addition, the platform is also compatible with Baidu’s private cloud and will allow developers to implement DApps based on various business scenarios.
Conquering Blockchain to Complete Tech Portfolio
Baidu is one of the largest tech companies in China and often touted as the Chinese-version of Google. It is investing heavily in emerging technologies like AI, and the internet of things and blockchain is not an exception.
Last year, it launched a blockchain-based stock image platform called Totem to protect intellectual rights of images. The firm also launched a Chinese version of the viral Ethereum ’s blockchain-based game CryptoKitties, in March 2017.
More recently, Baidu partnered with Tron to develop cloud-based blockchain solutions.
