Quote:
Originally Posted by jammies
While the game controller thing is damn funny, there is a case to be made for using off-the-shelf parts for systems that do not require innovative tech. Would a custom controller built specifically for this sub have been safer? It's not like the controller is very big, you bring a couple of (previously tested) backups with you, and if it fails, you use one of those. Same with the ballast, being compact and heavy is 99% of the design spec, custom machining it out of unobtanium is overkill.
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I get why everyone is focusing on the controller as it seems silly to most but its actually a fairly common practice now a days to use off the shelf controllers for very expensive machines. I know the US military switched to Xbox controllers for some types of remote operated devices that were previously controlled by 'custom' controllers that were costing upwards of $15k each.
No comment on the rest of the vessel's build quality but the controller is definitely not something to focus much attention on.