Tesla has filed a new trademark application for “Tesla Robotaxi,” as the company aims to secure exclusive naming rights for its upcoming autonomous ride-hailing service.
This new application comes after earlier attempts to trademark the more generic terms “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” were met with resistance by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Tesla originally filed for the trademarks “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” in October 2024. The USPTO delayed the Cybercab application due to its similarity to numerous other trademarks involving the word “Cyber,” mostly by Cybertruck accessory makers.
The agency also responded to the “Robotaxi” application by requesting additional details, citing that it would not qualify for exclusive use by Tesla due to its widespread use across the autonomous vehicle industry.
In response, Tesla filed three new applications on May 31, 2025, specifically for the phrase “Tesla Robotaxi.” Because this new term directly associates the service with the Tesla brand, it is more distinctive and less likely to be rejected as too generic. (via TechCrunch)
The filings suggest Tesla intends to use the name “Tesla Robotaxi” not only for the autonomous vehicles themselves but also for the mobile app and digital services that will support the platform.
Despite Tesla’s push for trademark protection, the applications are unlikely to be approved before the planned launch of the robotaxi service, which according to most recent reports is set for June 12, 2025. Trademark reviews take several months before being assigned to an examiner at the USPTO. Tesla’s original ‘robotaxi’ application was submitted in October 2024, and a ruling only issued seven months later in May 2025.
