Baidu Inc, the online search giant, launched its own Siri-like virtual assistant on Tuesday which is able, for instance, to place takeout orders.

Robin Li, chief executive officer of the Beijing-based company, unveiled the artificial intelligence-powered Duer at the company's annual technology event, Baidu World.

Demonstrating Duer's abilities, Li asked the virtual assistant to search for a nice restaurant in the Gulou area in Beijing, with the condition that it must allow pets.