BMW DesignworksUSA Metro Inspiro

DesignworksUSA, the global design consultancy of BMW, has created its vision of the Metro system. Commissioned by Siemens in the summer of 2010, the BMW Group subsidiary developed the design of the new Metro Inspiro – a further chapter in the long-standing cooperation of the two partners.

The Metro Inspiro assignment tasked the design team to live up to the increased demands on travel comfort and spatial perception, optimize transport capacities and provide regional public transportation services with additional possibilities for individualization.

"When competing with each other, towns and cities will secure advantages through the quality of their transportation system," said Laurenz Schaffer, President of DesignworksUSA. "The possibilities for megacities to combine mobility with the interests of the public is the most crucial task when designing mobility."

The exterior design of the Metro Inspiro boasts wide entry and exit areas, exterior door-light graphics and wide doors while the interior includes strategically-installed 'Light-Trees' to provide an enhanced 'passenger flow management', one of the key features on board the train.

The innovative 'Light-Tree' handrail concept – styled in the ilk of tree branches – is said to provide passengers with numerous advantages. The 'Light-Trees' are designed to ensure that sufficient individual space is provided for each passenger aboard the train, while a large number of smaller rails protrude from the tree-like structure to create ample space for passengers to hold on. Novel surface textures made possible by state-of-the-art materials also further enhance a secure grip for passengers.

Subtle lighting above the rails allows the 'branches' to become atmospheric pools of light within the interior of the train, while adaptive lighting emits light in changing colors, allowing the interior of the metro to adapt to daytime light conditions.

The Inspiro also features a lightweight seat concept and improved acoustics through the use of Cork blend floor insulation.

By John O'Brien