Venice, Calif. virtual reality company Wevr partnered with Time Inc.’s automotive vertical, The Drive, to redline users at 9,000 RPM in VR.
The Drive’s latest project is called “Fast Ride,” and built to run on Time Inc’s new VR platform and app, LIFE VR. According to The Drive’s website, Fast Ride features one of “the most coveted race cars ever made.”
Capturing VR footage from the cockpit of a 700-horsepower Mazda 787 came with its own unique set of challenges. Ten frame-mounted microphones captured engine roar from the supercar as it blistered around Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas, Calif. Fast Ride features footage shot by Wevr’s 360 camera. This ultra high tech camcorder was initially designed to film inside a vehicle’s trunk and had no trouble adapting to the close quarters of the driver’s seat.
VR users play the role of passenger in an immersive experience that gives them a close up look at the guts of a race car traveling at high speeds. “It is actually great for fans to have a chance to explore up close all the dials and buttons available for the driver while being so close to him at the same time,” Wevr creative director Luis Blackballer said.
Fast Drive was announced as a corresponding move with the launch of its parent app LIFE VR. LIFE VR is designed to function in a stand-alone capacity on mobile and desktop mediums, but the user experience is enhanced by popular VR wearables like Cardboard, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear.
“Projects like this are just good for VR. The combining of Wevr’s evolving skill set with Time’s unique ability create and deliver content to a worldwide audience just expands the medium and allows us both to venture into new territory,” Wevr co-founder and EVP, Anthony Batt said.