Why Do Japanese AGTs Have Windows That Reach the Floor? A Designer’s Promise Born in Singapore

What is the greatest benefit of

automated, driverless vehicles? 

It is more than just operational

efficiency; it is about gifting the "best

seat in the house"—the front row—to

children.

In Singapore, there is an AGT line

known as the Bukit Panjang LRT. 

The CX-100 vehicles on this line

feature equipment boxes located

beneath large front windows, where

children eagerly scramble to sit and

take in the view ahead.

On Yurikamome trains in Japan, the

front section is designed with windows

that extend from waist height all the

way down to the floor. While children

may need to crouch to see through

them, sitting directly on the floor allows

them to have the entire panoramic

view to themselves.

This design is the realization of a

vision by a designer who was deeply

moved by the sight of children on the

Bukit Panjang line. Much like a sports

car, the closer your viewpoint is to the

road surface, the greater the sensation

of speed—offering a visual experience

unlike any other.

The long vertical handrail next to the

boy on the floor is not merely a safety

feature to prevent falls. It was

intentionally designed as a "bridge"

for parents and children to grip the rail

together—one high and one low—to

share the excitement of the journey.

These handrails are proof that public

transportation has evolved from a

simple means of travel into a space for

creating family memories.

In traditional rail systems, the front row

was the "sacred sanctuary of the

driver." Through automation, it has

been opened up as a "place of

exploration for everyone, especially

children".

We hope you enjoy your next ride on

an AGT!