Tesla has filed new trademark applications for the term “Tesla Robotaxi” as it pushes forward with plans for a self-driving ride-hailing service, after earlier attempts to trademark more generic names encountered resistance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The company previously sought to register the terms “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” in October 2024. However, the USPTO requested further clarification for “Robotaxi,” citing its widespread use by other autonomous vehicle developers including Waymo. The application for “Cybercab” was suspended outright due to conflicts with a large number of existing trademark filings involving the word “Cyber.”
See also: Tesla Robotaxi Pilot on Track for June Launch in Austin, Musk Confirms
Credit: TeslaIn response, Tesla filed three new trademark applications specifically for the phrase “Tesla Robotaxi,” aiming to secure branding for the upcoming service, its mobile app, and the associated vehicles. The move comes as the company prepares to begin testing the autonomous service in Austin, Texas, later this month.
Despite the filings, the trademark process is unlikely to conclude before testing begins. “Applications typically sit for months before they are assigned to an examiner,” according to TechCrunch, which first reported on the filing developments.
See also: Tesla Plans to Expand Robotaxi Platform to Saudi Arabia, Says Elon Musk
Tesla also has pending applications for terms such as “Robobus,” “Robus,” and “Cyberbus,” which appear linked to the van-like concept vehicle unveiled alongside the Cybercab prototype last October. During that event, CEO Elon Musk referred to the vehicle as the “Robovan,” although that term is already trademarked by Estonian robotics company Starship Technologies.