(Yicai Global) Nov. 28 -- Leading Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc. has entered a new phase of Internet of Things development and formed a partnership with internet search giant Baidu Inc. [NASDAQ:BIDU] to build an ecosystem integrating hardware and software platforms for both artificial intelligence and the IoT, NetEase Technology reported.

The smartphone maker held its first XiaoMi IoT developer conference today, where Lu Qi, Baidu's president, announced the new cooperation. The partnership will combine Xiaomi's intelligent hardware, smart device system and potential applications with Baidu's AI technology, masses of data and information services, Lu said.

Xiaomi unveiled its smartphone-centered Internet of Things strategy back in 2015 and its IoT platform now hosts more than 85 million devices across 800 different categories being used by more than 400 partners, Lei Jun, chairman, said at the event.

The firm released a WiFi module in 2014 and followed it up with a WiFi+ module before unveiling a security encryption chip earlier this year. The products are aimed at minimizing costs for developers and users and making mobile applications more interesting, Lei added.

The multibillionaire tech mogul also announced Xiaomi's latest developer program, advising that its IoT developer website went live at noon today and that it will roll out a narrowband IoT module early next year.