The project, Lexus says, represents "the idea that a car that will never have an accident may be possible."

If that sounds like a lofty goal, that's because it is. But the simulator appears to go a long way toward replicating the behind-the-wheel experience. The statistics are impressive: It can simulate speeds of up to 186 mph and a turn angle of up to 330 degrees. The ball-shaped pod, 56 feet in diameter, is mounted on a 3-axis, 6-strut platform, and it contains the shell of a Lexus production vehicle (an LS sedan is shown here). By zooming around on the tracks, it can create what Toyota says are "realistic" feelings of cornering and handling. A 360-degree imaging system provides the appearance of a detailed, interactive world, and drivers can see and hear traffic and the city around them. By analyzing driver reactions to various artificial situations, Lexus hopes to get a better bead on how technology can help consumers avoid accidents.

The simulator is featured in a new Lexus TV ad spot titled "It's Out There." Ever wondered what it'd be like to drive around in a virtual world in a building the size of a football field? Now's your chance for a glimpse.