Tesla Robotaxi Trademark: New Applications Filed

Tesla Seeks Trademark for "Tesla Robotaxi"

Following previous setbacks in its efforts to trademark terms related to its autonomous vehicle service, Tesla has submitted new trademark applications for “Tesla Robotaxi.” This move indicates the company’s continued pursuit of intellectual property protection for its forthcoming technology.

Initial Trademark Attempts Faced Challenges

Tesla initially filed applications in October 2024 for both “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab.” However, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requested further clarification regarding the “Robotaxi” application.

The USPTO’s concern stemmed from the widespread use of the term “Robotaxi” by multiple companies, including Waymo. Consequently, the application for “Cybercab” was immediately rejected.

New Applications Focus on Specific Branding

To address the USPTO’s concerns, Tesla has now filed three new applications specifically for the phrase “Tesla Robotaxi.”

These trademarks are intended to cover Tesla’s planned autonomous ride-hailing service, the associated mobile application, and the vehicles themselves. The company anticipates beginning testing of the service in Austin, Texas, later this month.

Trademark Review Timeline

It is improbable that these new applications will be processed before the planned testing phase begins. Trademark applications generally undergo a lengthy review process, often taking several months before being assigned to a USPTO examiner.

Additional Trademark Filings

Beyond “Tesla Robotaxi,” the company also has pending trademark applications for “Robobus,” “Robus,” and “Cyberbus.” These filings likely relate to the van-like concept vehicle unveiled alongside the Cybercab prototype last October.

During the unveiling, CEO Elon Musk designated this vehicle as the “Robovan.” However, the term “Robovan” is already trademarked by Estonian robotic delivery company Starship.

Related Terms and Existing Rights

• Robotaxi: A term used by multiple companies, prompting the need for a more specific trademark.
• Cybercab: Application rejected due to competing trademarks using the “Cyber” prefix.
• Robobus/Robus/Cyberbus: Pending applications potentially linked to a van-like autonomous vehicle concept.
• Robovan: Already trademarked by Starship Technologies.