REEautonomy+
Case Study
FlatFormer - a flat, super-flexible chassis that supports a range of body configurations, Powered by REE®
Hino Motors and REE Automotive Sign Business Alliance Agreement Aiming to create new value through next-generation commercial mobility, April 2021.
With the backdrop of advancements in CASE – Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric vehicles, the automotive industry is entering a major transformation phase. Hino and REE envision beyond this transformation a future in which commercial vehicles that support the movement of people and goods will evolve into mobility that provides new value and opportunities for society.
The next-generation commercial mobility solution to be jointly developed by Hino and REE will be comprised of a modular platform (powered by REE) that will carry a customized Mobility Service Module on top. The Mobility Service Module – which will carry passengers, goods and deliver services – would address a wide variety of current and future applications aligned with customer requirements, aimed to provide new value to society, and will be enhanced with data-driven services. In addition, the Mobility Service Module can be easily detached from the EV platform and once detached it can serve as an independent, stand-alone unit – making services and goods easily accessible to society, leaving the platform to be operated separately and continue on its next mission.
The two companies will combine their advantages to realize this vision – Hino’s knowledge and technologies as a commercial vehicle manufacturer closely attuned to customer needs with REE’s innovative and highly competitive proprietary REEcorner EV technologies – and take on initiatives to create new value through next-generation commercial mobility solutions.
The solution will boast a low-floor, full-flat design that flexibly meets customer needs and also supports autonomous driving based on REE’s XBW architecture. The modular platform provides expandability, and the Mobility Service Module is designed with customer co-creation in mind.
Flat Formar concept won the European Product Design Award in the ‘Design for Society’ category
The two companies were named joint winners for their collaborative work on the Mobility Service Module – or Hino Flatformer – a customisable unit built on REEs ‘skateboard’ type modular EV platform, capable of transporting people, goods, or even delivering services to where they are most needed. The Mobility Service Module will use REE’s proprietary REEcorner technology, which packs critical drivetrain components into a single system positioned between the wheel and the chassis.
- To realize and bring to market their shared vision of "providing new value to society through next-generation commercial mobility."
- The Alliance to combine Hino's knowledge and technologies as a commercial vehicle manufacturer closely attuned to customer needs with REE's innovative and highly competitive proprietary REEcornerTM EV technologies
- Assess business models for the co-creation of next generation electric mobility solutions to enhance new social value, promoting the use of mobility-driven data