In a recent CBS Sunday Morning segment in 2022, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush showcased the Logitech F710 controller as the primary method for controlling the Titan submersible. This wireless game controller was used to pilot the vessel, which led to much excitement among journalists and the public. The use of a video game controller for such a high-tech application was seen as a cool and innovative move, given the prevalence of video game controllers in various military and spaceflight applications.
However, tragedy struck when the Titan sub imploded during a dive to the Titanic site in June 2023, resulting in the loss of all five passengers, including Stockton Rush. The use of a wireless $30 controller suddenly raised questions about the safety and reliability of such a control interface. Following this incident, the Logitech F710 controller quickly became a focal point in the subsequent wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of Paul-Henri Louis Emile Nargeolet, a renowned Titanic expert who was onboard during the fatal dive.
The lawsuit highlights several key criticisms of the Titan submersible, including the use of carbon fiber construction instead of titanium, which is more resistant to compression. Additionally, the complaint raises concerns about the “hip, contemporary, wireless electronics systems” used in the Titan, particularly the Logitech video game controller that operated via Bluetooth. The lack of a custom-made controller tailored to the Titan’s design and operation, as well as the reliance on touchscreen controls, are cited as contributing factors to the sub’s implosion.
Moreover, the lawsuit calls into question the composition of the engineering team behind the Titan, noting that they lacked real-world experience and deep-sea diving industry exposure. The lawsuit alleges that a combination of improperly designed or constructed parts and systems, including the Logitech controller, could have led to a “daisy chain of failures” resulting in the sub’s catastrophic implosion. As a result, the estate of Nargeolet is seeking damages of at least $50 million.
While a final investigatory report from government agencies is pending, it is likely that the Logitech controller, along with the sub itself, is lost forever. Despite rumors circulating on social media about the controller surviving the implosion, these claims have been debunked as fake. The tragic incident has raised concerns about the use of consumer-grade electronics in high-risk applications and serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of safety and reliability in deep-sea exploration.
