The Army is using Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets to sign up new recruits

Virtual reality headsets are used to give potential recruits a taste of life in the Reserves

Andrew Griffin
Tuesday 20 January 2015 11:25 EST
Comments
Reserve soldiers of 7 Battalion The Rifles, deployed alongside members of Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, working hard to dam a breach in the Kennet Canal that threatened an electrical sub-station near Burghfield, south of Reading, as the military were
Reserve soldiers of 7 Battalion The Rifles, deployed alongside members of Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, working hard to dam a breach in the Kennet Canal that threatened an electrical sub-station near Burghfield, south of Reading, as the military were

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The British Army is using Oculus Rift as part of a new campaign that virtually puts potential recruits in the middle of a firing range.

A video created by a specialist software firm gives people a taste of life in the army, as part of a new campaign to recruit Army Reserves.

Army recruiters showed off the kit in London’s Waterloo Station last week, where anyone could put the headset on and virtually be part of the training exercise. The video was mostly uneventful — two Challenger 2 tanks drive along, one of which you’re sat on top of, and shoot across the plain — but very immersive.

Potential recruits sat in an army Land Rover, watched the video and tried not to get too into the video as swarms of commuters walked through the station.

The video was developed by specialist firm Visualise.

The campaign was launched with a 2D video, too, which will be shown on TV nationwide.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in