Information about a motor-wheel from Israel REE comes across often, but raises more questions than answers. Therefore, it was decided to "dig deeper" and find at least something that explains what the new and unprecedented Israeli company is offering. By the way, the company's website is rather inconvenient and it seems impossible to find any information or images, except for those published on other websites.
So what can be found on "all sites". REE, together with many renowned car manufacturers, is ready to provide a new type of vehicle by 2023, the concept of which was developed at REE. This is a kind of design that can be transformed into machines of various characteristics. And all because of the versatility and, yes, the newest wheel motor.
Since this design was developed "from scratch", and the company's engineers are not from the automotive world, they approached their work … creatively. We got rid of the usual components and systems of ordinary cars, leaving the platform and the very wheels in which all the trick is "in the base": there are the suspension, brakes, transmission, and steering … How is it? And this is where the questions begin.
Nevertheless, you can find something. According to Rahn Dekel, the company's automotive team leader, the REE system "does not have everything inside the wheel." There is a certain module for transmitting torque between the engine and the wheel. The suspension has 150mm travel for the 17-inch wheels and the steering is wired.
Promotional video:
The company calls its system "Corner Module". The company designed this module with a low unsprung mass so it can be easily attached to the platform: “It only requires four bolts and an electrical plug. If any module has any problems, you can fix them in less than 15 minutes. Just replace the module and keep working,”Dekel said.
The engineer said that each of these modules currently produces 15 kW (20 hp), but in principle it is scalable. The company is already presenting three concepts. The REE Air (currently using a blue platform) is being designed as a small autonomous vehicle (whatever that means). The second is a passenger car with four or six seats called REE Share. It uses a red platform that is wider and longer. The same concept will be the basis for a third, "commercial" car called the REE Bolder.
Summing up the "investigation", we can say that the company offers a kind of universal constructor, from which, changing platforms and "corner modules", any manufacturer can assemble what he needs: a truck, a city car, and maybe a supercar.
