Tesla (TSLA) is facing some challenges with the naming of its smaller vehicle robotaxi platform. Initially unveiled as the ‘Robotaxi’ at an event in 2024, Tesla encountered a roadblock when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected the application, citing it as ‘too generic’. Subsequently, the ‘Cybercab’ trademark was also mishandled, as Tesla delayed its application, leading to a French beverage company, Unibev, snatching it up.
In addition to these setbacks, regulatory hurdles in some US states have prompted Tesla to register new trademarks for the vehicle. Restrictions in certain states prohibit automakers from using names like ‘Cab’ or ‘Taxi’ for their vehicles, further complicating the naming process for Tesla’s robotaxi platform.
As a result, Tesla now has four different names for its smallest and least expensive vehicles: Robotaxi (general), Cybercab (the main name), Cybercar (in some US states), and Cybervehicle (in some US states). While the Cybercab trademark is currently held by a squatter, it is likely that Tesla will reclaim it without much difficulty, given the illogical nature of a beverage company owning the name.
However, the use of multiple names for the same vehicle could potentially create confusion for customers as Tesla’s robotaxi autonomous ride-hailing service rolls out. Despite these challenges, Tesla is making progress with the Cybercab prototype, conducting crash tests for safety and extensive trials in various US cities for localization and Unsupervised FSD AI training.
On January 28th, Tesla filed for patents for the CYBERVEHICLE and CYBERCAR trademarks, with both applications currently listed as ‘Awaiting Examination’ by the USPTO. While the naming process may have hit some roadblocks, Tesla continues to push forward with its innovative robotaxi platform.
As Tesla navigates the complexities of trademark regulations and naming conventions, the company remains focused on bringing its vision of autonomous ride-hailing to fruition. With ongoing developments and advancements in technology, the future of Tesla’s robotaxi platform looks promising.