r/interestingasfuck • u/ThugLeeVoguee • 1d ago

The implosion of the Titan submarine (OceanGate) was so rapid that the pain wasn't even registered by the brain. They didn't feel anything at all. Utterly instantaneous.

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u/backhand_english 1d ago

Everyone saying "oh, they took a joystick from a game console" and saying thats a bad thing...

It's not. If the pilots were familiar with it, its fine.

The U.S. Navy uses standard Xbox 360 controllers to operate the high-tech photonics masts (digital camera systems that replaced traditional periscopes) on Virginia-class attack submarines like the USS Colorado.

Familiarity: Younger sailors grew up playing video games, which cuts training time for the periscope controls from hours down to minutes.

Better Ergonomics: The original heavy, helicopter-style joysticks were clunky and unpopular with crews, whereas gamepads feel natural and comfortable.

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u/SimpleBar9995 1d ago

I'm more so referring to the fact that they got told their submersible wasn't up to code and fired the guy who told them.

The game controller is just funny but not important 

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u/backhand_english 1d ago

Oh yeah, they were deluded idiots with thick wallets, for sure...

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u/OdinsCuriousRaven 1d ago

There's always someone like you that likes to bring up the fucking Navy. They used controllers to operate periscopes...not completely control and pilot the whole goddamn vessel. For fuck's sake, that is a massive difference.

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u/jdubyahyp 1d ago

Also the navy has mechanical backups for everything. For ya know, when your controller runs out of batteries or something.

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u/OdinsCuriousRaven 1d ago

Exactly. Every single time this conversation pops up it is the same sequence, with the "hurr durr the navy uses controllers durrrr" person feeling smug in having mentioned it without realizing how little they know about anything.

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u/Mercuryblade18 1d ago

Also these devices are stress tested and likely significantly more reliable than anything built from scratch.

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u/FriskyDingoOMG 1d ago

The familiarity definitely helps. You’re adding a 3rd dimension to the mix, but it would be easier to learn to control Z axis with a familiar controller.

Plus, literally billions of these controllers exist. They’ve been pressure tested (pun intended) for decades.

I think it’s a good idea to use the controllers if feasible.

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u/King_Roberts_Bastard 1d ago

Also, why spend hundreds of millions of dollars and years doing R&D when Sony and Microsoft have already done that

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u/ScissrMeTimbrs 1d ago

It was Logitech though. One of the cheap ones.

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u/Heiferoni 23h ago

Yeah , but don't use an Xbox controller to drive the submarine lol