The disappearance of a small submarine on its way to explore the wreckage of the Titanic has captivated online audiences. The submersible, named the Titan, vanished off the coast of Newfoundland, carrying five individuals, including billionaire Hamish Harding.
As reports emerge about the ill-fated mission, questions have been raised regarding the suitability of the vessel, which was operated using a modified Logitech G F710 Wireless Gamepad, priced at $39.99.
Oceangate CEO, Stockton Rush, revealed in an interview that the entire sub was controlled using this gamepad. The revelation drew amusement and disbelief from the public, including CBS Sunday Morning’s David Pogue, who jokingly expressed his astonishment.
Critics have since mocked OceanGate’s use of a mid-tier game controller, highlighting the potential risks associated with piloting a submarine with such equipment. However, the use of off-the-shelf or slightly modified video game controllers in serious military applications, such as tanks and submarines, has become increasingly common.
Wow the missing Titanic tourist sub was being controlled with an off-brand PlayStation controller? For $250K you think they could at least afford a PS5 controller. Also I can’t imagine how horrifying it must of been trapped at the bottom of sea in that. pic.twitter.com/KBtrvNrqDh
— John Keil (@JohnnyKeil617) June 20, 2023The U.S. Navy, for instance, has adopted Xbox controllers to replace bulky flight sticks for controlling periscopes and photonic masts. While only a portion of the sub is controlled by the Xbox controllers, similar gamepads are being used to operate various military machines.
The appeal of these controllers lies in their cost-effectiveness and the familiarity of younger recruits with the technology. Bomb disposal robots in the U.S. Army have been maneuvered using Xbox controllers, and the British military has developed a driverless all-terrain vehicle controlled by an Xbox controller. Even in Israel, an Xbox controller is utilized to operate a tank.
When military forces aren’t employing gaming controllers directly, they often adopt designs inspired by them. The U.S. Army’s M-SHORAD combat vehicle, for example, features a beige controller resembling a Nintendo 64 gamepad. Similarly, the fire controller for the Challenger 2 tank bears a resemblance to a game controller.
These choices in military and vehicle design are driven by the superior control capabilities offered by gamepads. The intuitive and widespread familiarity with this design, even among non-gamers, contributes to its adoption. While the cause of the Titan’s disappearance remains unknown, it is unlikely that the Logitech controller played a significant role, as numerous other factors can jeopardize an underwater journey, including hull breaches, fuel loss, or oxygen container leaks.