BMW Group subsidiary Designworks collaborates with Shell to improve the customer experience in hydrogen refuelling.

Munich. BMW Group subsidiary Designworks and Shell
have collaborated in the development of an innovative hydrogen
dispenser that will improve the refuelling experience. Hydrogen
vehicles have proved to be increasingly suitable for everyday use and
offer the potential to become an important low carbon transport option
for the future. The new dispenser design will create a seamless
experience for hydrogen drivers on the forecourt and help to encourage
the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel of the future. It will be
launched at the Hannover Fair in Germany from 24 – 28th April 2017.

Designing for a new way of refuelling.

BMW Group subsidiary Designworks, a design studio well
acquainted with the challenges of designing for the future of
mobility, was commissioned by Shell to develop the design of a new
hydrogen dispenser. Designworks approached the project applying BMW’s
innovative and holistic research and design process “Fixstern” (fixed
star). This pioneering approach to innovation creates a future vision,
a focal point that all stakeholders can share in common, align to, and
drive
towards. “Next to enabling product innovation, one of the
most important benefits of the Fixstern process, is its power to
create commitment for a common goal by providing a tangible vision
that multiple project partners can work towards”, says Sonja Schiefer,
Director of the Munich studio of Designworks.

Oasis: A new hydrogen dispenser concept.

Hydrogen dispenser models currently on the market are based on
those designed for conventional fuels. To inspire a world of clean
energy, Designworks created Oasis, a dispenser concept that departs
from the “H” or “L” shaped fuel dispensers presently on the market. It
introduces a new product typology with an “I” shaped, pillar-like
design with a friendly appeal. Oasis takes inspiration from natural
forms and elegantly rises upwards creating a beacon both from close up
and from a distance.

The Shell dispenser design is clean and remarkably simple with all
mechanical parts made invisible. When approaching the dispenser, the
user will experience a light guidance system, a generous information
screen and an innovative nozzle for refuelling. The light concept
helps guide the overall flow of cars on the forecourt by providing
precise and clearly visible information about the dispenser´s
occupancy and the remaining fueling time. A concise graphical
communication concept was developed for the interaction screen on the
front of the dispenser, to provide clear and easily accessible
information. It allows users to keep track of their refuelling time
and price, request maps to check route details or dive deeper into the
world of hydrogen.

For the refuelling nozzle, the design team created a new pick up and
mount mechanism, which provides a highly intuitive way of removing and
returning the nozzle. To make the refueling experience even more
comfortable, a screen was integrated directly into the nozzle guiding
the user through the refueling process step by step. Beyond offering
an innovative refuelling experience, the new dispenser concept, with
its clean design language and easy to use functionality, makes a clear
statement about the future of hydrogen.

Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen General Manager at Shell said “Customers are
at the heart of what we do. We are pleased to have collaborated with
Designworks in the development of a new hydrogen dispenser that will
allow us to provide customers an improved hydrogen experience. It will
not only make refuelling seamless, it will also help make hydrogen
fuel an even more attractive option in the future”.

The dispenser concept will be introduced at Hannover Fair from 24 –
28 April 2017, on Stand B59 in Hall 27.


In the event of inquiries, please contact:

Birgit Pucklitzsch, Manager Communications
Designworks, A BMW
Group Company
Tel: +49-151-6052-4026, Fax:
+49-89-548-49399
e-mail:
birgit.pucklitzsch@designworksusa.com
Internet: www.bmwgroupdesignworks.com

Niklas Drechsler, Spokesperson Efficient Dynamics and
Driving
Dynamics, BMW Group
Tel.: +49-89-382-28149, Fax:
+49-89-382-28567
e-mail:
niklas.drechsler@bmwgroup.com
Internet: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Designworks, A BMW Group Company

Designworks is a BMW Group company and a creative consultancy
that’s been driving innovation for more than forty years. Acquired by
BMW Group in 1995, Designworks enables its parent company as well as
internationally-renowned clients outside the automotive industry to
grow their businesses through design and creative consulting services.
With studios in Los Angeles, Munich and Shanghai and with clients
including BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce, HP, Microsoft, Corsair, Coca Cola,
Embraer, Neil Pryde, Siemens Trains and Singapore Airlines,
Designworks is deeply immersed in a broad cross-section of industries.
www.bmwgroupdesignworks.com


The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group
is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly
facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than
140 countries. In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million
cars and 145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the
financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues
amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group
had a workforce of 122,244 employees.
The success of the BMW
Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible
action. The company has therefore established ecological and social
sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product
responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an
integral part of its strategy.
www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview
Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com


Shell

Shell is an integrated energy and petrochemicals company, with
an average of 92,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Shell aims
to meet the world’s growing demand for energy in ways that are
economically, environmentally and socially responsible. Shell is
investing in the development of alternative transport fuels including
biofuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen and electric mobility.
In Germany, Shell is part of the JV H2 Mobility, together with Air
Liquide, Daimler, Linde, OMV, and Total to build a hydrogen refuelling
network of filling stations by 2023. Outside of Germany, Shell already
has hydrogen filling stations in California, US, and the UK.