Missing Titanic Submarine Steered by Cheap Logitech Gaming Controller

A tourist submarine that went missing near the Titanic wreck uses a $30 Logitech gaming controller for steering.

On Sunday morning, the OceanGate submarine vessel, which boarded five passengers, went missing.

Missing Titanic Submarine Steered By Cheap Gaming Controller

As per a report by Ars Technica, the OceanGate submarine used for tourist tours of the wreckage of the RMS Titanic relies on a $30 Logitech F170 gamepad for its steering.

The Logitech controller, which typically sells for $12.99 online, debuted in 2010. But even after 13 years have passed, which its design shows, it is still under production. It delivers a wireless dual-thumbstick gamepad for PC gamers. But as of writing, after the news broke that the missing submarine used the controller, the F710 gamepad promptly sold out.

OceanGate Chief Executive Officer Stockton Rush confirmed in an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning last summer that they use a game controller to steer the underwater vehicle. Rush says, while holding the gamepad, "We run the whole thing... with this game controller."

However, according to The Verge, it is not the first instance that a submarine used a gaming controller. The US Navy also relies on gamepads to steer their submarine periscopes and photonic masts. The Elon Musk-led, The Boring Company also does something similar. The tech firm installed an Xbox One controller to control one of its massive drilling machines.

Notably, these gaming controllers are designed to be highly ergonomic and comfortable, allowing gamers to dive into extended game sessions.

Meanwhile, The Verge notes that the price of the five-person trip to take a peek at the Titanic wreckage is to the tune of $250,000. Passengers reportedly sign a release stating that "this expedition vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death."

Missing Submarine Near Titanic

The authorities are still looking for the missing submarine, the Titan, with five passengers on board. According to BBC News, the passengers include British businessman Shazada Dawood and OceanGate CEO Rush.

Dawood is one of the members of the richest families in Pakistan. His 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood was also onboard the Titan. Besides them, a former French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet is one of the five passengers. The 77-year-old was part of the first expedition to visit the Titanic wreckage in 1987.

A British adventurer, Hamish Harding, who visited outer space several times, was also on the missing submarine. The US Guard called the ongoing search "very complex." To comb the seas, ships and international planes have joined the mission.