A truck’s intelligence will soon be defined less by its mechanical systems and more by its software. That’s the disruptive premise behind the new collaboration between REE Automotive and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, placing both companies at the forefront of AI-powered, software-defined commercial vehicles.
The memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies initiates a co-development program aimed at integrating the advanced SDV architecture and AI-driven software at REE into the production vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso. The first testbed will be Japan’s first mass-produced electric light-duty truck, the eCanter, which will be converted into a fully software-defined platform. This also fulfills the ambition of Mitsubishi Fuso to deliver, for the global markets, safer, smarter, and continuously upgradable, cloud-connected trucks.
Daniel Barel, Co-Founder and CEO of REE, emphasizes, “Software-defined vehicles represent a transformative leap, enabling faster development of next-generation commercial vehicles through continuous AI-powered over-the-air (OTA) updates. By leveraging both companies’ strengths, we believe we have a unique opportunity to set a new industry benchmark for commercial vehicles that support autonomous solutions.”
At the heart of REE’s offering is a zonal SDV architecture combined with x-by-wire control systems. Such pairing replaces conventional mechanical linkages with electronic controls to provide fine, real-time control over the steering, braking, and propulsion. The architecture has been designed to seamlessly integrate with legacy systems, further enhancing the reliability and safety while minimizing hardware complexity. Mitsubishi Fuso chose REE’s technology because it can scale, enabling OEMs to standardize platforms across a wide range of vehicle types without extensive redesign.
The REE-developed ECU is a key enabler of this scalability. It features a modular design for simplified integration that reduces discrete components and wiring harnesses. This cuts not only manufacturing costs but also development cycles. Built-in cybersecurity, AI-driven diagnostics, and continuous over-the-air (OTA) updates guarantee that at every moment in its operational life, the vehicle remains secure, serviceable, and at peak performance.
For autonomous-ready trucks, it’s these capabilities that matter most: the platform’s resilience means vehicles can operate at full capability even in demanding conditions, while OTA updates allow fleets to deploy new features, safety enhancements, and performance optimizations without taking trucks out of service. The reduction in manual software interventions further streamlines fleet operations, reducing total cost of ownership and minimizing downtime.
Equally impressive are the environmental benefits. With zero greenhouse gas emissions and a greatly reduced noise profile, the eCanter is well-positioned for urban logistics, especially in cities that continue to increase restrictions on combustion vehicles. Mitsubishi Fuso looks to further enhance eCanter’s operational intelligence with the integration of REE’s SDV technology in pursuit of an electric truck that will be clean and adaptive to the evolving demands of transport.
Hironobu Ando, Head of Product Engineering at Mitsubishi Fuso, puts the impact in perspective: “We believe that, by combining Mitsubishi Fuso’s autonomous driving and ZEV technologies with REE’s XBW and SDV technologies, we can realise superior logistics solutions. We are very pleased to work together with REE to address social issues such as global warming, traffic accidents and driver shortages.”
The collaboration comes at a very important time for REE, which has been seeking to expand its market footprint with proven, road-ready solutions. The Class 4 P7 Chassis Cab platform from the company has already demonstrated the viability of the SDV architecture in commercial applications. In partnering with Mitsubishi Fuso, REE gains access to a global OEM with manufacturing scale and market reach into approximately 170 countries, while Mitsubishi Fuso secures a performance-proven, scalable technology base for its next-generation vehicles. This MoU serves as a one-year evaluation phase, a proving ground for the integration of REE’s platform into Mitsubishi Fuso’s production processes.
If successful, this may lead to a long-term supply agreement that could influence future product lines across the company’s portfolio. The simplicity of the integration process means production can scale globally without needing a full rehaul of existing systems-a factor that could accelerate adoption across multiple regions. As electrification and autonomy for commercial vehicles converge, the partnership between REE and Mitsubishi Fuso demonstrates how AI-driven SDV platforms can reshape the lifecycle of a truck-from manufacturing and deployment to continuous software evolution. Entering the market first with the eCanter, the industry is yet to see whether this collaboration will set the benchmark for intelligent, autonomous-ready fleets in the decade ahead.