Major Chinese IT firm Baidu on Wednesday unveiled a concept electric car co-developed with automaker Geely.

The IT firm set up a joint venture with Geely Holding Group last year to develop electric vehicles.

The concept car has no door handle. The door opens when the driver holding the key approaches the vehicle, which is equipped with a sensor.

Officials also say the car has a voice-recognition system so the driver can tell it to change speed, for example.

They say the driver can use the autonomous-driving mode in places permitted by law, including highways and parking spaces.

The joint venture plans to release its mass-production model next year.

Luo Gang, an executive of the joint venture, said they view the product as a robot as well as an automobile. Luo also said they are making efforts so many people will use their cutting-edge technology as soon as possible.

China is the world's largest market of EVs, with 2.7 million units sold last year, accounting for more than half of all EVs sold worldwide.

Competition is heating up in the Chinese EV market. Companies such as telecommunication equipment maker Huawei, online retailer Alibaba Group and smartphone maker Xiaomi have also entered the market.