The British Army has turned Oculus Rift into a recruiting tool

The British Army’s latest recruitment drive harnesses the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset to drop potential soldiers into the midst of a live fire Army Reserve exercise on Salisbury Plain.

The Army is deploying the VR headset for the first time today at Waterloo Station in London. Members of the public take a seat in a Range Rover before strapping on the Oculus Rift.

• 
• 

In the simulation, the potential recruit plays the crewman of a Challenger 2 tank, surrounded by other tanks engaging enemy positions, as well as communicating with other armored vehicles driving alongside them.

The Army’s recruitment and training devision developed the campaign with Visualise, a London-based firm specialising in virtual reality, and advertising agency JWT.

The <3 of EU tech

The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!

There’s also a more traditional TV ad to go alongside the Oculus Rift novelty.

➤ British Army Reserve