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‘Blind’ driver drifts into Castrol’s virtual world

‘Blind’ driver drifts into Castrol’s virtual world
Drifter slides real Mustang around airfield wearing virtual reality headset.

Here's an astonishing crossover between real-world driving and high-tech software - Formula Drift professional Matt Powers has driven his Roush Stage 3 Ford Mustang around an empty airfield... all while 'blindfolded'.

Powers was wearing an Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 (ORDK2) that transposed his 'real' 'Stang into a digital world full of rocks, tunnels and even a CGI Ken Block. And every manoeuvre he pulled in the game was mirrored by the actual Ford, which was slewing around a deserted landing strip.

Part of the Castrol Edge 'Titanium Trial' driving challenges, this incredible stunt was called Titanium Drift and follows up the Titanium Strong Blackout video from the same team. Here, data was extracted from the OBD2 diagnostics of the Mustang and external positional tracking systems, allowing tech specialists Adam Amaral and Glenn Snyder to sync the information with the ORDK2. This essentially turned the Roush Ford into a giant game controller.

Makes other motoring simulations seem a bit tame in comparison, eh?

Anything else?

Watch the video, and try to keep your mouth closed throughout, right here.

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Published on May 28, 2015