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this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2024
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It appears they are suing OceanGate, the company that made the submarine. The use of cheap, consumer grade hardware for critical functions (literally controlling the sub) is one of their criticisms.
I don't see why the controller is a problem.
If you go out and custom-make a controller, it's not likely going to be more reliable than anything that Logitech makes.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/19/16333376/us-navy-military-xbox-360-controller
US Army used to spend $38,000 per controller until they found out Xbox controllers were better
That sounds like a great way to get malware!
Do you regularly get malware from xbox controllers?
Bad USB is ABSOLUTELY a vector for state sponsored hacking. As has USB sticks (or devices) sold in sketchy shops.
https://smartermsp.com/tech-time-warp-the-usb-drive-that-changed-military-cybersecurity/
See also
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BadUSB
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuxnet
Pretty nuts to see I got downvoted for this. This is cybersecurity 101 shit. Don't plug untrusted USB devices into sensitive infrastructure. I'm not saying using an Xbox controller is a bad idea. I'm saying plugging an Xbox controller bought in a port side sketchy electronics shop into a freaking nuclear sub is. If they are sourcing it from Microsoft I am have no issues with it.
Logitech... the company whose 150 dollar mouse have double click issues months into the purchase?
iirc they mentioned the f710 constantly disconnected.
Sounds about right from my experience with the F710.
Yeah, but if you're going to use a wireless controller, don't fucking skimp and get some cheapo device, at least buy a goddamned 1st party controller. Not that MS/Sony don't have lemons too, but Logitech controllers are like a half step from the crappy MadKatz controllers from my childhood.
This had to be a project costing somewhere in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, and they're trying to save $30 on an aftermarket controller?!? That's the literal embodiment of Penny Wise, pound foolish.
Actually that specific model of controller has been around for like 15-20 years and is pretty solid, especially the wired version the f310.
When I was in high-school our FRC team used them, and I remember the analog sticks usually lasted for quite a while considering they where getting hammered every night during practice season, and abused during competition. They got shipped, thrown, tossed around, and even got a little percussive maintenance once and a while.
Try that shit with a genuine Nintendo Joycon and get back to me.
The reason its cheap is the same reason it works so well. It really hasn't changed all that much since they introduced the design like 20 years ago. Its basically a ps2 controller with Xbox face-button glyphs, analog triggers, and a USB cable.
Honestly I think the only reason they updated it in 2010 was for xinput compatibility.
That's only assuming the sub was running windows, where Xbox controllers work out of the box. On Linux there are no first party drivers, and Bluetooth support on the 1/S controllers simply didn't exist at the time this happened. If it was an embedded system there would be no support whatsoever.
Huh what? Dual Shock 4 controllers are supported OOTB. With additional support via Userland software. In fact Sony published drivers for DS5. XBox original controllers just work. Therws plenty of first party support.
I haven't used dual shock so I can't speak to that, but as far as Xbox 1/S controllers, there is no 1st party support - literally all the drivers are from some non-MS affiliated GitHub page. 360 controllers required the xpad driver as well - that isn't 1st party support. Yes they work out of the box with steam if you are using a wired connection, but that's because it's going through steaminput (not 1st party either), and making the controls of the submarine dependent on being launched through steam is even more absurd. Gen 2 series 1/S controllers didn't work via Bluetooth for a long time after they (silently) launched on most LTS Linux OSs due to the kernel missing requisite BLE functionality
Even if it is the best built controller ever. It was wireless and should not have been used. In terms of safety it's not something you want to solely rely on. As the article says: "every sub in the world has hardwired controls for a reason". Logitech is not blamed for anything. It's about OceanGate using this controller among many other questionable choices.