A submersible vessel owned by tourism company OceanGate reportedly went missing sometime on June 18. As more details come to light, we’ve learned that the submersible was reportedly controlled by a $30 Logitech game controller.
David Pogue from CBS News had the opportunity to speak with Stockton Rush the CEO of OceanGate; even as search and rescue operations were underway. During his visit with Stockton, Pogue reported that many of the components for the company’s submersibles “seemed improvised”.
What topped it all off was when Stockton showed the device used to pilot the crafts: a modified Logitech G F710. It will set you back around $30 (it’s fittingly on sale via Lenovo at the time of writing).
Using controllers for submarines and submersibles is nothing new and game controllers have made convenient input devices for years in the industry. But when the U.S. Navy shells out for gaming peripherals, they at least pay a bit extra for first-party Xbox controllers.