Flexible Hub Motors Power Modular Electric-Car Platform

Feb. 16, 2022

REE Automotive's P7 electric-vehicle platform uses integrated hub motor and control systems.

REE Automotive's P7 electric-vehicle platform is built on its integrated REEcorner hub motor. Four of these can be combined on a flatbed REEboard (see figure). I spoke with Peter Dow, Vice President of Engineering at REE Automotive, about the company's technology.

Electric REEcorner hub motors allow REE Automotive to deliver flatbed REEboard electric vehicles.

The REEcorner incorporates steering, braking, suspension, and powertrain into the wheel. Each wheel is controlled by a REEcorner ECU that's connected to a REEcenter ECU that manages the vehicle. Each REEcorner includes:

Fully sprung high RPM electric motor
Single-wheel steer-by-wire technology
Single-wheel brake-by-wire technology
Multi-ratio high-efficiency drivetrain
High-power ECU architecture
Preventive maintenance AI
OTA updates

The REE Configurator gives developers an interactive tool to design an electric automotive platform. The REEcorners are power agnostic so they can be powered by any electrical source from batteries to fuel cells.

REE Automotive can provide solutions from the component level, like the REEcorner, to complete vehicles. They have partnered with companies like Hino Motors, a Toyota Group company, to provide FlatFormer, a modular electric vehicle solution.

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