PGC NEWS

On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate, tragically disappeared in international waters in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The vessel was on a tourist expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic, with five people on board. This incident brought to light the surprising fact that the submersible was controlled by a modified Logitech G F710 gamepad, a detail that caught the attention of many in the gaming community.

Titan, a five-person submersible operated by OceanGate, Inc., was designed to dive to depths of up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). According to OceanGate, its intended purposes included site survey and inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, and deep-sea testing of hardware and software. The use of a modified Logitech G F710 wireless gamepad for piloting the submersible, while initially surprising, is more common than one might think.

Game Controllers: Not Just for Games Anymore

The utilization of game controllers in complex machinery, including military applications, is a growing trend. The US Navy, for example, is currently deploying Xbox controllers on their submarines. These controllers replace bulky joysticks previously used to operate periscopes and photonics masts. Several factors contribute to the appeal of game controllers in these scenarios. They are relatively inexpensive, readily available, and younger recruits are already familiar with their operation.

Modified Logitech F710 gamepad used to control the Titan submersible

Xbox controllers being used in military applications

The application of game controllers extends beyond submarines. The US military utilizes Xbox controllers for bomb disposal robots. The British Army has developed an unmanned all-terrain vehicle controlled by an Xbox controller. And in Israel, a tank model also employs an Xbox controller for operation. Even when militaries don’t directly use commercially available game controllers, their custom-designed control systems often draw inspiration from gamepad layouts.

Ergonomic Design and Intuitive Control

The reason for this widespread adoption is simple: gamepad design is remarkably efficient for controlling multiple functions with just two hands. The layout allows for intuitive operation and minimizes hand fatigue, crucial for extended use in demanding environments. The design has been honed over decades of gaming industry development, resulting in highly ergonomic and user-friendly interfaces.

M-SHORAD control unit

The M-SHORAD, a US Army combat vehicle, features a controller resembling an N64 gamepad. Similarly, the fire control system for the Challenger 2 tank shares similarities with a game controller. These examples demonstrate the influence of gamepad design principles in various fields, highlighting the effectiveness and adaptability of this control interface.

Conclusion

The use of a modified Logitech gamepad to pilot the Titan submersible, while initially surprising, underscores the broader trend of adopting game controllers in diverse applications. The ergonomic design, ease of use, and affordability of gamepads make them an attractive option for controlling complex machinery, from deep-sea submersibles to military vehicles. The tragic loss of the Titan serves as a reminder of the challenging operating environment of deep-sea exploration, but it also highlights the innovative ways technology from the gaming industry is being adapted for real-world applications.