Metro Kapsul is an automated rail transit system developed by Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) as a domestically engineered solution for sustainable urban mobility. The system is designed to address the growing demand for medium-capacity public transportation with a focus on operational efficiency, scalability, and reduced infrastructure cost compared to conventional rail systems.
Figure 1. LRT Metro Kapsul prototype
Metro Kapsul adopts a driverless, fully automated operation concept, operating on a dedicated guideway with centralized control. Each vehicle unit is designed as a compact, modular capsule, allowing flexible configuration of train length, passenger capacity, and service frequency based on site-specific requirements. This modularity makes Metro Kapsul suitable for various applications, including industrial estates, integrated business districts, university campuses, airports, and dense urban areas with limited right-of-way.
From a technical perspective, Metro Kapsul employs an electric propulsion system, integrated automatic train control, and multi-layer safety sensors to ensure reliable and safe operations. The system architecture is developed to support integration with modern signaling technologies, fleet management systems, and emerging smart mobility platforms. This openness provides opportunities for further subsystem development, system integration, and industrial customization.
As an applied research and development initiative, Metro Kapsul is built through an engineering-driven design approach involving ITB faculty members, researchers, and students from multiple disciplines, in collaboration with PT LEN. The development roadmap emphasizes technology validation and increasing Technology Readiness Level (TRL) toward real-world deployment. Through Metro Kapsul, ITB actively invites strategic partnerships with industry to collaborate in manufacturing, system integration, pilot implementation, and commercialization, contributing to the advancement of a competitive and sustainable national rail transportation ecosystem