Tesla Doubles Down on Robotaxis with New Trademark Push—Because Third Time’s the Charm, Right?

Elon’s self-driving dream gets another legal reboot after earlier stumbles.

Subheader: Trademark treadmill spins again

Tesla’s latest IP filings suggest Musk isn’t done chasing the robotaxi fantasy—despite regulatory roadblocks, technical hiccups, and that pesky habit of Teslas occasionally forgetting what stop signs are for. The move comes as Wall Street starts treating FSD timelines like crypto whitepapers: ambitious, fluid, and heavily discounted by sane investors.

Subheader: Silicon Valley’s favorite Groundhog Day

Fresh paperwork with the USPTO shows Tesla securing ’Robotaxi’ branding across transportation and software categories. Because nothing says ’production-ready’ like rushing to trademark the name while your beta software still can’t parallel park.

Closing thought: At this rate, Tesla’s autonomous division may achieve profitability right after the Cybertruck’s second recall—just in time for the next market cycle where gullible capital chases the same vaporware promises.

TLDR;

• Tesla is pushing forward with new trademark filings for “Tesla Robotaxi” after previous attempts were stalled.
• The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) had earlier rejected applications for “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” due to generic use and conflicting claims.
• Tesla is now conducting self-driving tests in Austin without safety drivers, ahead of a planned June launch.
• New trademark filings include expanded use across vehicles, apps, and services tied to its autonomous ride-hailing ambitions.

Tesla has filed three new trademark applications for the phrase “Tesla Robotaxi,” signaling its determination to establish a distinctive brand identity for its upcoming autonomous ride-hailing service. This MOVE comes after earlier efforts to trademark more general terms like “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” were met with resistance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

According to a May 30 filing, Tesla intends to use the “Tesla Robotaxi” trademark for its fleet of electric vehicles, related mobile apps, and the broader infrastructure supporting the driverless service.

The filings are timely, aligning with Tesla’s preparations to begin real-world testing of self-driving Model Y cars in Austin, Texas. These new applications are part of a broader branding strategy that aims to avoid the pitfalls that delayed its previous attempts. The USPTO had previously issued what’s known as a “nonfinal office action” on Tesla’s original “Robotaxi” trademark, requesting more detail and clarification due to the term’s widespread use across the industry.

Earlier Trademark Attempts Faced Roadblocks

Tesla’s trademark journey has been anything but smooth. In October 2024, the company filed for “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” on the same day it revealed the Cybercab prototype. However, the USPTO determined that the term “Robotaxi” was too generic, citing its common usage among competitors such as Waymo. As for “Cybercab,” the application was halted entirely due to the term’s saturation in the market, particularly with several other companies pursuing similar “Cyber”-based trademarks.

A separate trademark for “Robobus” also remains under examination, along with other pending terms like “Cyberbus” and “Robus.” Tesla appears to be covering all bases as it eyes not just cars, but future autonomous vans and buses. While the company referred to a concept van as “Robovan” during a prior reveal, it may face further hurdles as that term is already held by another entity.

Testing Advances Quickly in Austin

Tesla’s renewed trademark efforts come as the company takes a bold leap in real-world testing. Last week CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company has started operating driverless Model Y vehicles on public streets in Austin, with no one in the driver’s seat. These tests began only in the past several days, but Musk claimed they are already a month ahead of schedule. The company has been under pressure to prove the safety and reliability of its autonomous technology, especially in comparison to rival Waymo, which underwent a far more extended and cautious test period before launching in Austin earlier this year.

Musk added that Tesla will soon perform its first self-delivery of a vehicle directly from the factory to a customer, another milestone meant to showcase the system’s real-world capability. If all goes according to plan, a small fleet of 10 to 20 robotaxis could be operating in Austin by mid-June.

That said, while Tesla’s trademark applications for “Tesla Robotaxi” are unlikely to be finalized in time for the June pilot program, the filings show the company’s intent to stay ahead of branding conflicts as it scales its vision. With prior applications still under review and legal hurdles unresolved, Tesla is moving quickly on multiple fronts: securing its place in the market, proving its technology, and setting the groundwork for what could be its most ambitious product yet.