Toyota's Oculus Rift educates about distracted driving

By CARSIFU | 15 January 2015


DETROIT: Toyota has launched its new TeenDrive365 distracted driving simulator with Oculus Rift at the Detroit auto show, marking the first time the virtual reality technology is being used to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving.

To experience the new Toyota TeenDrive365 simulator, a user gets behind the wheel of a stationary Toyota car, put on the Oculus Rift headset and is fully immersed in a virtual reality driving experience, complete with the three dimensional sights and sounds of a busy city street.

During the simulation, he is challenged to drive safely using the car’s steering wheel and pedals, while navigating a series of common distractions, including traffic noises, the radio, text messages and virtual friends who occupy the passenger and back seats.



If he loses focus, he would experience the consequences of distracted driving within the virtual setting. But, hopefully, you’ll come away a little wiser about what it takes to be safe behind the wheel.

“Oculus Rift provides a virtual reality driving experience that mirrors real life behind the wheel, giving us a powerful, one-of-a-kind way to show parents and teens how everyday distractions can affect their ability to drive safely,” said Marjorie Schussel, Corporate Marketing Director for Toyota.

“This is the most innovative example of how we’re helping teens and parents become safer drivers together through our ongoing Toyota TeenDrive365 initiative.”

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