In March, as the leading self-driving car companies in the US suspended testing because of coronavirus, the Chinese start-up AutoX accelerated its plans.

It opened potentially the largest data centre for self-driving cars in Shanghai and signed a deal to launch a fleet of 100 robotaxis in the city.

AutoX is just one of several Chinese start-ups aiming to close the gap with Silicon Valley who have been rolling out pilot projects, racking up test miles and raising fresh funds as US rivals sit idle.

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