BMW VR

                                  BMW HTC VIVE VR

BMW has introduced consumer virtual reality technology into its vehicle development process. Instead of needing expensive specialized facilities to use VR technology, the automotive giant is taking advantage of the HTC Vive's impressive capabilities for fast-turnaround interior modeling feedback.

Once potential modifications or new designs have been CAD modeled, designers are able to sit in a reusable interior assembly which makes what they're seeing through the VR headset feel real, while precisely channeled engine and road noise round out BMW's attempts to immerse testers in a life-like environment. 

Currently, the Vive headset is coupled with HTC's laser-based Vive Lighthouse tracking system covering 5 x 5 meters (16 x 16 ft), while graphics are run smoothly at 90 frames per second thanks to Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4.