When the Xbox 360 was released in 2005, many saw it as just an upgrade to Microsoft’s popular Xbox. While it indeed became one of the best-selling gaming consoles of its time, it did much more than that. The Xbox 360 controller gained a reputation of its own for its exceptional comfort and ease of use. In 2006, Microsoft released software that allowed the controller to work with Windows, the operating system running on most PCs worldwide. This development opened the door for a new group of gamers who could now use the controller by simply plugging it into their computer.
As the Xbox controller and its software gained widespread popularity, innovators began exploring unconventional uses for them. Beyond its role as a gaming device, the controller’s comfortable joysticks and buttons proved to be versatile tools for various applications. Here are some of the most intriguing ideas that people have developed.
An Xbox controller can be utilized to operate flying drones
Typically, when you buy a flying drone, it comes with a basic controller, either as a standalone device or as a module that connects to a smartphone and app. While most people stick with the provided controller, enthusiasts who appreciate the Xbox controller’s comfortable grip might think differently. Although drones usually lack native software to connect directly with an Xbox controller, a bit of tinkering can make it possible.
In 2020, YouTuber Dennis Baldwin managed to connect his Xbox controller to his DJI Mavic Mini drone, giving him the precision control you’d expect from a session with “Microsoft Flight Simulator.” Since this setup wasn’t supported natively, Baldwin had to engineer a custom solution to bridge his Xbox controller, iPhone, and the drone’s software. He accomplished this by developing an app that translated joystick movements and button presses from the Xbox controller to the iPhone, and then relayed those commands to the drone.
Xbox controllers to simplify bomb disposal operations
Bomb disposal is one of the most perilous professions, with experts risking their lives to safely deactivate explosive devices that could otherwise cause fatal harm. Today, bomb disposal teams frequently use remote-controlled robots to defuse bombs, reducing the risk to human life. However, these robots often come with complex control systems, which can increase stress and difficulty during critical situations.
In the late 2000s, the process of controlling bomb disposal robots became much simpler. Robotics company iRobot introduced Xbox controller support for its PackBot robot. Originally, the PackBot’s controls were complex and laptop-like, requiring extensive training—a challenge for US Military personnel who needed to disable explosives in combat zones. To streamline the learning curve and improve usability, iRobot switched to using Xbox or similar controllers, which operators found more intuitive and easier to use.
An Xbox controller can be used to operate a submarine periscope remotely
When you imagine a submarine periscope, you might picture a long metal tube extending from the ceiling with handles on the sides. However, this traditional design has been outdated for years. Since the early 2000s, submarines have primarily employed photonics masts—electronic imaging systems equipped with cameras and sensors that provide an external view without the need for a long metal tube.
One drawback of photonics masts is their cumbersome controls, which are both difficult to use and costly to produce. To address this, in 2017, the United States Navy replaced the complex controls with Xbox controllers for managing their periscopes. A standard Xbox controller can be connected to the system, allowing operators to pan and zoom the periscope’s image. This approach is not only more cost-effective compared to bespoke control systems but also leverages the familiarity most operators already have with Xbox controllers from gaming.
An experimental military laser was operated using an Xbox controller
In the popular 2007 video game “Halo 3,” there is a weapon known as the Spartan Laser, a large shoulder-mounted device that fires a powerful laser beam. While such a weapon doesn’t exist in real life—at least not in the form depicted in the game—and current military prototypes haven’t advanced to the point where they are easily portable by a single soldier, laser technology has made significant strides in recent decades. Remarkably, modern laser systems have advanced to the point where they can be controlled using the trigger button on an Xbox controller, much like the Spartan Laser from the game.
In 2014, the United States Military tested an experimental laser weapon developed by Boeing called the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator. This system appeared as a large laser cannon mounted on the back of a military truck. The weapon was operated using an Xbox controller rather than employing a complex and costly control setup. With just the twin joysticks and a few button presses, soldiers could engage and destroy drones and mortar rounds as easily as they might fend off a fictional alien invasion.
Xbox controllers used for operating CT scans
A CT scan or MRI is a crucial diagnostic tool that provides detailed images of the body or other scanned areas without the need for invasive procedures. Since these scans are often conducted to investigate specific issues, analyzing the results requires precision. Typically, interpreting CT scan images involves using a mouse and keyboard, which can be challenging when trying to navigate and examine detailed 3D images.
