One of this year’s most highly anticipated events for both car and tech enthusiasts is the looming rollout of the Tesla robotaxi.
For years, the Tesla (TSLA) CEO has touted the self-driving cars he’s promised the company will deliver. This has included pushing back its launch date, which he has claimed is necessary to allow engineers more time to develop the technology.
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However, this has also sparked skepticism that his ambitious plans to corner the autonomous driving market will succeed, as rivals continue to introduce self-driving tech into their vehicles, both in the U.S. and China.
The clock is ticking, and some experts have speculated that Tesla is already falling behind in the driverless race.
Now, a new development reveals that Musk is facing even more challenges as Tesla prepares for what it claims will mark its robotaxi launch in 2025.
Given Musk’s reputation for championing futuristic technologies, many people have expected Tesla to lead us to a future with fully self-driving cars. However, the autopilot software behind its self-driving push has reportedly caused plenty of on-road incidents, enough to spark federal investigations.
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In December 2024, Musk announced that Tesla would start rolling out its long-awaited robotaxis in June 2025, exciting fans of the company. However, experts have claimed that these electric vehicles (EVs) won’t be fully self-driving, as they will be assisted by a remote human operator.
Now Musk is facing a new obstacle, this time from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Tesla’s attempts to copyright the name Robotaxi have run up against roadblocks, as the government agency argues that the name is too generic to trademark.
That’s not the company’s only patent problem, though. According to a regulatory filing dated April 23, the company’s application to trademark the name Cybercab has been suspended, as other firms have recently attempted to do the same with similar terms, including a Cybertruck accessory dealer called CyberLandr.
On May 6, the USPTO issued a “nonfinal office action” to Tesla regarding its Robotaxi trademark application.
This refers to the process in which a trademark examiner informs the filer of problems that it must address for the application to proceed. If Tesla does not file a response within a three-month period, the application will be discarded.
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DJ Kamal Mustafa
I’m DJ Kamal Mustafa, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of EMEA Tribune, a digital news platform that focuses on critical stories from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan. With a deep passion for investigative journalism, I’ve built a reputation for delivering exclusive, thought-provoking reports that highlight the region’s most pressing issues.
I’ve been a journalist for over 10 years, and I’m currently associated with EMEA Tribune, ARY News, Daily Times, Samaa TV, Minute Mirror, and many other media outlets. Throughout my career, I’ve remained committed to uncovering the truth and providing valuable insights that inform and engage the public.
