Comment on Why install other Linux ISOs on Steam Deck?
TeddE@lemmy.world 5 months ago
I saw a video recently where a Steam Deck was repurposed as a robotics controller and monitor unit for prototypes. Having an off-the-shelf highly customizations controller for $350 is a steal for this industry, but they’re not using it for games.
(Video for reference: youtu.be/1KEtxTQUzxY)
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 5 months ago
I’ve seen videos where they used it as a drone controller in Ukraine. Truly a marvellous machine.
andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 5 months ago
Maybe a little excessive for just drone operation and communications, but the formfactor of a handheld console is where the sweet spot is. I feel like if they’d make them for $100 with something akin to a 10-years old hardware in a rugged everything-proof body, it can become a standard in the future. Cheap drones have shown they can drop bombs alright, so there’s probably a market for a cheap controller made just for that.
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 5 months ago
The great thing about the Steam Deck is that it’s basically just a Linux PC. That makes it easy to adapt for any purpose. It also has a good screen and great controls. That would be hard to do for $100. And by military hardware standards, it’s already dirt cheap.
andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 5 months ago
Their R&D in designing a console and these nice controllers is probably more expensive for Valve than what they’ve got from selling actual products, but cheap smartphone is $40 in the more sanctioned Russia, so I guess something like $100 isn’t an unreasonable price goal, and these folks are historically more into IT than we are, that makes me believe they can do or already did cheap controlling devices. I’m open to be wrong.
And yeah, military things are always extra durable and extra overpriced, but they are in a process to cut corruption to join NATO\EU, so probably the end price won’t be that exhausting.