BMW Goes Virtual Reality

BMW i8 (Credit: BMW)

BMW’s i Ventures, the automaker’s tech arm, is charging ahead on virtual reality. It recently invested in STRIVR Labs, which has picked up several awards for pushing VR for companies.

Before you get visions of virtually racing an M2 around Lime Rock, that’s not what BMW is looking to do with the tech. Instead, employees at dealerships and elsewhere will be trained to do their jobs better, using VR. That’s not nearly as exciting, but hopefully it means better service if you own or buy a BMW.

Maybe, maybe in the future BMW i Ventures will take things to the next level and use VR in vehicles. It’s not a tech that would work well for driving, but you could use virtual reality to learn how to drive better when you’re not behind the wheel, train on avoiding accidents or how to stick apex the turn on a track without the risk of crashing.