Tesla trademarks ‘Robobus’ and ‘Robotaxi’

Tesla has trademarked ‘Robobus’ and ‘Robotaxi’ – giving us a better idea of the vehicles’ names, which were somehow unclear despite the unveiling event last week.

Despite having an actual launch event for the vehicle last week, the details about Tesla’s Robotaxi were very limited, and the vehicle’s name was not even clear.

Prior to the event, CEO Elon Musk referred to it as both ‘Cybercab’ and ‘Robotaxi’.

Both terms were also used during the event.

Tesla only has a very short web page about the new vehicle (and Robovan) on its website and it refers to them as ‘Robotaxi’ and ‘Robovan’:

During the event, Musk repeatedly referred to the ‘Robovan’ as “ruh-BO-vin”.

Now, Electrek has found new trademark applications filed by Tesla that should hopefully clarify the names of these new vehicles.

Tesla has filed two trademarks for ‘ROBOTAXI’; one for the electric vehicle and one for the ridesharing and general commercial use of the vehicle:

• ROBOTAXI™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of land vehicles; electric vehicles, namely automobiles; automobiles; and structural parts therefor.
• ROBOTAXI™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of leasing of motor vehicles; transportation and storage of automobiles; transportation of passengers and goods; coordinating travel arrangements for individuals and for groups, namely, arranging time-based ridesharing services for individuals and for groups; vehicle rental services; vehicle sharing services, namely, arranging and coordinating temporary use of vehicles; transportation and delivery services, namely, monitoring, managing, and tracking of transportation of persons and delivery of goods and packages; conveyance rental and sharing services, namely, arranging and coordinating peer-to-peer vehicle sharing and rental services.

Tesla did the same thing for ‘ROBOBUS’:

• ROBOBUS™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of land vehicles; electric vehicles, namely automobiles; automobiles; buses; electrically powered buses; and structural parts therefor.
• ROBOBUS™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of leasing of motor vehicles; transportation and storage of automobiles; transportation of passengers and goods; coordinating travel arrangements for individuals and for groups, namely, arranging time-based ridesharing services for individuals and for groups; vehicle rental services; vehicle sharing services, namely, arranging and coordinating temporary use of vehicles; transportation and delivery services, namely, monitoring, managing, and tracking of transportation of persons and delivery of goods and packages; conveyance rental and sharing services, namely, arranging and coordinating peer-to-peer vehicle sharing and rental services; arrangement of passenger transport by bus.

It sounds like the ‘Robovan’ is actually going to be called ‘Robobus’, but the trademark applications still need to be approved.

Electrek’s Take

It was pretty weird that Tesla unveiled these vehicles without having a clear naming scheme ready. “Cybercab” and “Robotaxi” were used alternatively and Elon seemed unable to pronounce “Robovan” at the event.

Maybe that’s why Tesla decided to go with Robobus instead.

In all seriousness, I have plenty of doubts about Tesla’s Robotaxi and Robobus programs and they have little to do with the names.