Lexus built an Oculus Rift driving sim from real car parts

oculus rift Lexus RC F Rift
Looks comfy

The Oculus Rift virtual reality headset has a big problem that even its creators don't know how to solve: no existing control methods feel adequate to use with virtual reality.

One solution is to create highly specialized controllers that resemble specific objects like guns or, in the case of a tech demo car maker Lexus has created, the cockpit of a new car.

Lexus made the virtual reality demo to let consumers try out the 2015 Lexus RC F before production models are actually available to test drive, a spokesperson told TechRadar.

Called RC F Rift, the experience utilizes elements from an actual Lexus RC F, including the steering wheel and foot pedals, which could make it incredibly immersive.

Lexus RC F Rift Oculus Rift

RC F Rift uses Oculus Rift DK2

Get you one

Lexus built RC F Rift in less than eight weeks and says it's the first simulator that uses Oculus's Dev Kit 2 Rift hardware.

Check it out in action in the video below.

Other driving games, including Ubisoft's The Crew, have been retrofitted or jury-rigged with Oculus Rift support, but never with an actual car seat and steering wheel as far as we know.

Consumers can try the RC F Rift at Auto Show events in Orange County in October, Las Vegas and LA in November, and Detroit next January.

Michael Rougeau

Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.


Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.