You might think that controlling a submarine requires a sophisticated and expensive controller, but you would be wrong. In fact, one company used a $50 gamepad to operate their submersible that was supposed to take tourists to see the Titanic wreck. But what happened to the sub and its crew? And why did they use such a cheap device for such a risky mission? Read on to find out.
The Titan Submersible and Its Tragic Fate
The Titan submersible was a watercraft built by OceanGate, a marine company that organizes expeditions to the Titanic wreck, which lies 4000 meters below sea level in the Atlantic Ocean. The Titan was one of the world's only privately owned manned submersibles capable of reaching such depths. It could carry a crew of five people - a pilot and four passengers - who could enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean floor through a large domed porthole.
The Titan was supposed to make its maiden voyage to the Titanic wreck site on June 18, 2023, with five people on board: Hamish Harding, a British adventurer; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French veteran Titanic explorer; Shahzada Dawood, a British-Pakistani businessman; Suleman Dawood, his 19-year-old son; and Stockton Rush, an American co-founder of OceanGate.
However, something went terribly wrong during the dive. Communication was lost with the submersible one hour and 45 minutes into its dive, and authorities were notified when it did not resurface at its scheduled time later that day. A search and rescue operation was launched involving the US Coast Guard, the US Navy, and other agencies.
After four days of searching, the worst was confirmed: the Titan had imploded near the Titanic wreck site, killing all five people on board. The US Navy analyzed its acoustic data and found an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion near where the submersible was operating when communications were lost. The US Coast Guard said that debris "consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber" had been found by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) scouring the seabed near the Titanic wreck site.
The Logitech F710 Wireless Gamepad and Its Role in Controlling the Submarine
The Logitech Gamepad is a device that resembles a typical video game controller and has two analog joysticks, a directional pad, 10 buttons, and dual-motor vibration feedback. It connects to the submarine via a wireless connection using a USB nano receiver.
Photo via Twitter
The gamepad allows the pilot to maneuver the sub with precision and ease, using the joysticks to control the direction and speed of the sub. The vibration feedback adds realism and immersion to the experience, as the pilot can feel every hit, crash, or explosion in games that support it.
But why did OceanGate use a gamepad for their submarine?
According to their website (which was down on Friday), they claimed that they had partnered with NASA, Boeing, and the University of Washington in developing the Titan submersible. However, these institutions later clarified their roles in the project and distanced themselves from OceanGate's claims.
OceanGate may have used a gamepad for several reasons. One possible reason is that gamepads are intuitive and easy to use, especially for younger operators who are familiar with video games.
However, using a gamepad for a submarine also has some drawbacks, such as being less reliable and secure than wired controllers. Wireless connections can be affected by interference, noise, or jamming from other sources and can be more vulnerable to hacking or eavesdropping by malicious actors. Wireless connections also depend on the availability and reliability of signals, which can vary depending on the sub's depth, location, and weather conditions. Therefore, using a gamepad for a submarine can pose some risks to the safety and security of the sub and its crew.
Conclusion
The Logitech F710 wireless gamepad is a device that can control a machine like a submarine. It has many advantages over custom-made controllers, such as being intuitive, easy to use, cost-effective, and readily available.
Unfortunately, the gamepad could not prevent the tragic fate of the Titan submersible and its crew, who lost their lives in a catastrophic implosion near the Titanic wreck site. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but some experts have questioned the design, safety standards, and certification of the submersible.
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