Car maker Ford experimenting with Oculus Rift

The Oculus Rift virtual reality technology is not only for games, not by a long shot. The latest example of the technology's non-gaming functionality comes from iconic car manufacturer Ford, which is exploring the headset as a means to build the cars of tomorrow.

Fast Company reports that engineers at Ford are using Oculus Rift head-mounted displays to explore an automobile's design in a 3D space. Paired with motion-capture cameras from Vicon, Ford engineers are able to prototype new cars virtually and much more quickly compared to traditional methods.

Of course, automakers have used computer-aided design (CAD) software to create digital prototypes for a long time already. However, the Oculus Rift's relatively inexpensive set-up allows Ford to save a great deal of money in the process.

Ford is exploring such a system at its Detroit headquarters with three Rift headsets, but plans to replicate the system at its other locations around the globe. These systems can also connect with one another, allowing engineers to collaborate across the world on the fly.

"Ford can have a group of designers in Detroit reviewing a model while talking to designers in Cologne and Australia, all immersed in the same world at the same time," Vicon product manager Warren Lester said.

NASA is also using Oculus Rift technology as a means to control space robots.

Oculus VR, the company behind Oculus Rift, recently raised $75 million in funding and added longtime Electronic Arts veteran David DeMartini to its ranks.

The technology has the potential to change gaming forever and "redefine fundamental human experiences," according to Mosaic co-author Marc Andreessen, whose venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz led the $75 million investment and now sits on the Oculus VR board of directors.

The latest version of Oculus Rift is on display at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. We'll have more on the technology later this week.