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Tesla has filed three new trademark functions for the phrase “Tesla Robotaxi,” taking one other shot at securing a authorized identify for its much-anticipated autonomous ride-hailing service.
The filings, made on May 30, comply with months of pushback from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which beforehand denied Tesla’s efforts to trademark extra generic phrases like “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab.”
Now, by attaching its model on to the time period, Tesla hopes to beat hurdles which have blocked earlier functions. The new functions goal to cowl not solely the automobiles but additionally the cell app and the autonomous ride-hailing service.
Tesla first utilized for the “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” logos in October 2024, however each have been met with challenges. According to TechCrunch, the USPTO responded by requesting extra particulars in regards to the time period “Robotaxi” and outright rejected “Cybercab” resulting from a surge of comparable functions from different firms, particularly these utilizing the phrase “Cyber.”
The USPTO was particularly hesitant with “Robotaxi” as a result of the time period is already used broadly by rivals like Waymo. A “nonfinal office action” was issued by the company, requesting clarification and specifics earlier than the appliance might proceed.
Trademarks past the Robotaxi
Tesla’s branding ambitions don’t cease at robotaxis. The firm additionally has pending trademark functions for names akin to “Robobus,” “Robus,” and “Cyberbus,” which reference future autonomous vans or shuttles.
During the 2024 Cybercab unveiling, Musk referred to a prototype van because the “Robovan.” However, that identify could also be off-limits as Estonian robotics firm Starship Technologies already owns the trademark, TechCrunch reviews.
Real-world testing begins in Austin
While the trademark course of crawls ahead, Tesla’s autonomous plans are shifting full pace forward, not less than on the street.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that driverless Model Y autos at the moment are working in Austin, Texas; these exams started simply days in the past, weeks forward of schedule. These exams mark a key milestone for the corporate, which is aiming to launch a small fleet of 10 robotaxis.
“For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in driver’s seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents. A month ahead of schedule,” Musk wrote in a submit on X. “Next month, first self-delivery from factory to customer.”
In an interview with CNBC, he defined that the rollout would begin cautiously: “It’s prudent for us to start with a small number, confirm that things are going well, and then scale it up.”
If the Austin launch is profitable, Tesla plans to develop its robotaxi service to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and probably license its self-driving know-how to different automakers.
Investors guess on Musk’s imaginative and prescient regardless of challenges
Tesla’s push into robotaxis comes as the corporate faces declining EV gross sales and political backlash over Musk’s controversial statements. Still, some buyers stay optimistic: “We are a part of the ‘never bet against Musk’ crowd and a lot of what he said could come true at some point,” mentioned Connor Mahoney of Mahoney Asset Management. “It could just be a matter of when.”
