Sure, the lacking Titanic vacationer sub is piloted with a online game controller — however some US Navy submarines additionally make the most of Xbox 360 controllers

• The lacking Titanic submersible was run with a Logitech gamepad controller.
• The US Navy has used Xbox 360 controllers to function the photonic masts in submarines since 2018.
• One skilled mentioned easy designs like controllers assist make submersibles extra dependable.

The vacationer submersible that went lacking whereas carrying 5 individuals to view the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday is piloted with a video-game controller, prompting some criticism, however even the US Navy has utilized controllers previously.

The submersible, known as the Titan, is not like a submarine in that it doesn’t have sufficient energy to go away and return to port by itself with out the assistance of a mothership. The assist ship transports the vessel to and from the placement the place the dive is going down. 

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the corporate behind the Titan’s deep-sea excursions, informed CBS Information in November that the vessel was operated with a modified Logitech gamepad controller. The crew within the sub receives textual content message directions from the floor ship after which makes use of the controller to steer the sub.

Using a online game controller to pilot the 23,000-pound Titan vessel on its dives 13,000 toes beneath sea stage sparked mockery on-line, with some claiming the sub was destined to fail.

However the thought is not as far-fetched as it could sound. Using easy units like controllers can really make submersibles extra dependable, Harvard marine scientist Peter Girguis informed Insider’s Kwan Wei Kevin Tan.

In truth, the US army additionally makes use of online game {hardware}.

In 2017, the US Navy introduced it will start utilizing Xbox 360 controllers in submarines to function the photonic masts, which changed periscopes. A 377-foot-long sub referred to as the USS Colorado was the primary to make the most of the controllers when it joined the Navy’s fleet in 2018.

Cmdr. Reed Koepp informed USA Right this moment on the time the controllers had been cost-effective and got here with an added bonus — younger sailors already knew methods to deal with them.

Not less than two main weapons programs that the US army is specializing in make the most of Xbox-style controllers, Process and Goal reported in March.

Girguis mentioned making fun of the gaming controller within the submersible was interesting as a result of it is “a straightforward goal” however that a number of undersea vessels “use comparable controllers.”

“Why? They’re intuitive,” he mentioned. “What REALLY MATTERS is the bodily design and integrity of any sub, in addition to the management and security programs.”