- News
- March 10, 2015
As with all technology, there’s always a fear that your new purchase will soon be obsolete. Often times, we’re asked what will happen to our Motion Pro II Simulators once headsets like the Oculus Rift become the norm. Will this new era of full immersion cause our simulators to go the way of the Atari? Our answer: we’re already working on it!
Currently, CXC’s Motion Pro II utilizes three 55” TV screens angled in front of the driver to give them a 180-degree view of the race track. This creates a near full immersion into the virtual world. But while those 1080p resolution screens have helped make CXC the preferred simulator of professional racers, the company is making strides in order to better the overall experience to the greatest possible heights of virtual reality.
Enter the Oculus Rift; the leader in virtual reality technology, a company recently purchased by Facebook for $2billion based on its massive potential, and the device that is sure to bring CXC Simulations even closer to a real life driving experience. Oculus has been developing their headsets since 2012, and are coming closer to the day of a highly anticipated worldwide release. When they do, our simulators are likely to become one of their first major applications. The relationship between companies is symbiotic, as Oculus can learn how to best harness their own technology within such a car racing simulator. With direct relationships to Oculus’ R&D department, the companies are working to push their technologies even further.
“We’re always looking to be the most realistic simulator on the market today, and that’s why we were one of the first companies to partner with Oculus”, says Chris Considine, CEO and Founder of CXC Simulatons, “Our customers want the best and newest high tech solutions, and we strive to deliver whatever meets their needs. In fact, we’ve already shipped out some Oculus Rift prototype models for customers looking to experience the product.”
And by incorporating the Oculus Rift, the virtual driving experience is set to reach new heights. It will eliminate the dividing line between simulation and real world. Now, drivers will become fully immersed in the racing experience. The benefits of this union can be found all over the track. One instance that beckons is for the viewing field to move with the movements of one’s head. As a bumpy drive causes their head to shake, so will their field of vision, creating a sensation in tune with driving a real car that’s out of control.
But the main point here is that such drivers aren’t out of control, as the CXC Simulation is simply creating a vibrant world in which the drivers engage. Thrill seekers will be able to find the same excitement and fun through driving the Motion Pro II with an Oculus Rift device as they would in an illegal street race. However, without life-threatening consequences, racers will be able to overcome their errant actions on the track by simply restarting the race. CXC Simulations have become exceedingly popular among racing enthusiasts and even pro racecar drivers alike for training purposes. But with the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, the racing simulation could take their product to the next level. The close relationship between these two companies bodes very well for the future of racing simulations as well as virtual reality itself.