Tesla appears to be considering alternative names for its recently unveiled autonomous passenger vehicle, moving away from the “Robovan” designation CEO Elon Musk used at the We, Robot event this month.
The 14-seat fully autonomous van made a surprise appearance at the event, following Tesla’s Robotaxi unveiling earlier in October. The vehicle features a distinctive Art Deco train-inspired design with a futuristic twist, aligning with Musk’s philosophy that “the future should look like the future.”
Recent trademark filings with the USPTO reveal Tesla has submitted applications for both “Robobus” and “Cybervan,” suggesting the company is still finalizing the name for this innovative vehicle.
Musk highlighted the van’s potential for efficient group transportation and cargo hauling, projecting operating costs as low as $0.05 to $0.10 per mile. With capacity for up to 20 people, he envisions it serving various uses, from sports team transport to urban goods delivery.
However, significant hurdles remain before the vehicle reaches production. Notably, its design lacks any manual controls – no steering wheel, pedals, or driver’s area – meaning Tesla must achieve full autonomy before deployment. While public road use may be years away, the vehicle could potentially debut sooner in Boring Company tunnels.
