Radio control
![This radio controlled airplane is carrying a scale model of Lockheed Martin X-33 and is taking part in NASA research.](/Images/godic/202502/05/X-33_air_drop_model4617.jpg")
![In 1898, Tesla demonstrated a radio-controlled boat (U.S. Patent 613,809 —Method of an Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles).](/Images/godic/202502/05/Tesla_boat14617.jpg")
![Radio control gear installed in the battleship USS Iowa (1922)](/Images/godic/202502/05/USS_Iowa_Radio_Gear4617.JPG")
![](/Images/godic/202502/05/Tesla-bulb4617.jpg")
Radio control (often abbreviated to R/C or simply RC) is the use of radio signals to remotely control a device. Radio control is used for control of model vehicles from a hand-held radio transmitter. Industrial, military, and scientific research organizations make use of radio-controlled vehicles as well.