§ Case study · Bilbao · Metro
Foster's vaults, now spoken aloud.
Metro Bilbao integrates NaviLens next to LED displays, fare gates, concourses and ticket machines on Lines 1 and 2: next train, outdoor lift alerts and notices — in Basque, Spanish and 42 more languages — read aloud in real time.
Bilbao
Metro Bilbao — Lines 1 and 2
Full network
Platforms, concourses, gates and machines
Real time
Next train, alerts and lifts
42
Languages with voice readout
Client
Metro Bilbao
— Lines 1 and 2
Metro Bilbao operates the underground of metropolitan Bizkaia — Lines 1 and 2 — through the iconic network designed by Norman Foster, with its curved vaults and the famous «fosteritos» entrances. An infrastructure moving hundreds of thousands of people every day between Bilbao, Getxo, Santurtzi, Basauri or Etxebarri.
So that any passenger — resident, tourist, blind or low-vision person, older adult, or anyone who doesn't read Basque or Spanish — can use the network independently, Metro Bilbao incorporates NaviLens in its key elements: platforms, concourses, fare gates, ticket machines and real-time information screens.
Challenge
Make the LED audible.
- 01
Dynamic information hard to read
Metro Bilbao's displays show key information — destination, minutes, outdoor lift alerts, mandatory masks — in Basque and Spanish, on yellow LED screens that are far away and sometimes scrolling. For blind or low-vision people, that information was inaccessible.
- 02
A Foster-designed network with many decision points
Norman Foster's iconic network combines the vaults («fosteritos»), wide concourses and long corridors. Every station has fare gates, ticket machines, intercoms, lifts and curved-vault platforms: many wayfinding decisions on every trip.
- 03
Bilingualism and tourism
Bilbao welcomes Basque, Spanish and international travellers. Bilingual Basque–Spanish signage covers most, but excludes the international tourist and anyone who needs to hear the information rather than read it.
§ Solution
A code next to every decision.
Every display, fare gate, ticket machine and concourse on the network carries a NaviLens code visible from nearly 30 m. With the free NaviLens GO app, riders point and hear the synced information in their language — destination, minutes, outdoor lift alerts, operator notices.
The accessible layer respects Foster's architecture: no extra screens, no wiring, no refurbishment. Just a high-contrast sticker next to every critical element, connected to Metro Bilbao's real-time information system.
§ Timeline
From the platform to the whole network.
- Pilot
NaviLens codes next to displays
Metro Bilbao installs the first NaviLens codes next to LED platform and mezzanine displays, in sync with real-time info: destination, minutes to next train and alerts — «outdoor lift out of service» — read aloud in 42 languages.
- May 2024
Extension to the ENTIRE network
From early May 2024, Metro Bilbao extends NaviLens to all its stations, with signage on platform and mezzanine displays. Officially announced by the Basque Government (euskadi.eus) and covered by Deia and Casadomo.
- Rollout
From platforms to concourses and gates
The rollout extends to concourses, fare gates, ticket machines and escalator areas: every critical element of the journey has a NaviLens code visible and legible from several metres, with no need to touch anything.
- Today
A voice-accessible Foster network
Metro Bilbao's Lines 1 and 2 offer a homogeneous accessible layer from entrance to platform. Foster designed the space; NaviLens makes it audible and multilingual for every rider.
§ Journey
Key points of the trip.
Platform
Next train — Basauri / Etxebarri
The NaviLens code next to the platform LED display speaks the next train's destination and minutes (Basauri 5', Etxebarri 4') in the rider's language.
Concourse · San Inazio
Outdoor lift out-of-service alert
Above the fare gates, next to the display, NaviLens reads «Kaleko igogailua hondatua / Outdoor lift out of service / San Inazio» to anyone scanning the code before entering the network.
Concourse · Deustu/Ariz
Real-time alerts
The same NaviLens code works in any concourse on the network: in Deustu/Ariz it communicates the outdoor lift issue before the rider goes down to the platform.
Concourse
Scan from several metres away
The NaviLens code is visible from almost 30 m, even at an angle and in low light. The rider points the phone camera without needing to get close — ideal for people with residual vision.
Fare gates
Platform access
Next to the fare gates, a NaviLens code marks the validation zone and guides towards the platforms of the corresponding line, including Basque and Spanish notices read aloud.
TFT screen
Next departures — Line 1
On the newer TFT screens (lines to Donostia-Amara, Kukullaga, Bermeo) the NaviLens code next to the monitor lets you listen to what appears on screen.
Ticket machines
Buying a ticket
Above the ticket machines, the NaviLens code guides you to the area, identifies the equipment and prepares the user for the purchase before reaching the keypad.
Platform · Foster vault
Etxebarri — central platform
In Foster's vaults, the NaviLens code is placed next to the display with the clock. Voice readout of destination and remaining minutes as the rider follows the curved wall.
Detail
Fare gate and passage area
In transition zones — gates, escalators, lifts — the NaviLens code identifies the equipment and the direction to follow, including the reduced-mobility icon where applicable.
§ Results
A metropolitan network for everyone.
Platform → train
Next destination and minutes by voice, in sync with the LED
Accessible concourse
Outdoor-lift out-of-service alerts read instantly
Tourism & elders
Same info in 42 languages, from 30 m away
§ What they said
“Después del proyecto piloto inicial, desarrollado en colaboración con ONCE, esta señalética se ha extendido a toda la red, ofreciendo información tanto en teleindicadores de mezzanina como en los instalados en los andenes. Con esta medida, Metro Bilbao continúa aplicando la mayor accesibilidad posible en el servicio que ofrece.”
§ And your network?
Your next station can also speak.
Tell us about your network, your pain points and the KPIs you want to move. We’ll show you how NaviLens would fit —with comparable cases.
